Devastated dad pays tribute to ‘shining light’ at funeral of girl who died in beach buggy crash
THE heartbroken father of a young girl killed in a beach buggy accident told mourners yesterday that he will never forget his “beloved daughter”.
Nicole Fegan (12) was a passenger on the beach buggy which crashed near Newry at the weekend.
Her father Cathal paid an emotional tribute to his daughter at her funeral Mass at St Patrick’s Church in Mayobridge.
“Our beloved daughter Nicole was a bright shining light who enriched our lives every day,” he told the congregation.
“She had a great circle of friends and we loved having them all at our home. There is no richer sound than a house full of the laughter of children.
“We will eternally miss you and we are grateful for the short time we had you. We will never forget you, our baby girl.”
Nicole, the youngest of three children in her family, died from injuries she suffered as a passenger in the beach buggy that collided with another vehicle on the Flagstaff Road last Saturday.
As mourners arrived at the church yesterday to the strains of traditional Irish music, there were highly poignant scenes with mementoes of the girl’s life and her hobbies laid out on the altar by friends.
Also in attendance were some of Nicole’s fellow students from Our Lady’s Grammar in Newry, where she had started studying in September.
A Mayobridge GAA jersey, which Nicole “wore with great pride”, was the first item laid out.
This was followed by a camogie stick which her brother Jason bought for her last Christmas, a Gaelic football and hurling ball, a leotard representing her enthusiasm for gymnastics and a large letter ‘N’ indicating her name and the “bright and shining star that she was”.
During Mass, hymns were sung by the Mayobridge Youth Choir of which Nicole was a member.
Her love of music was symbolised by the placing of a tin whistle and a flute and a set of Little Mix tickets — the first and only concert she got to attend. Also brought forward was a Dublin City Marathon medal won by Nicole’s mother Margo around three weeks ago.
The congregation heard how Nicole jumped a barrier to complete the last few hundred yards of the run with her mum.
Family pictures which included her mother, father, brothers Jason and Jamie and grandparents Fred and Lily were also laid on the altar. Parish priest Fr Charles Byrne, who concelebrated the Mass with five clerical colleagues, said in his homily that any death was akin to a power cut.
“The sudden death of a loved one is like that,” he said.
“Without warning we are plunged into darkness. Our lives are turned upside down in a moment.
“Nicole’s death has been a devastating shock and loss to her family, her friends and the whole community in Mayobridge. Today, we have an overwhelming sense of compassion for her and her family.
“There are not the words to express the pain and sorrow in our hearts for the family.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who are heartbroken.
“It shows that life is precious but it is fragile.
“We would all love to grow to an old age, but when death comes to one so young it robs not only of what we possess but also of our hopes and dreams. No mother and father expect to bury their child.
“Christ opens our hearts to make us understand that there is an eternal life beyond death. We believe that Jesus rose again and it will be the same for those who died in Christ.
“We can take comfort that Nicole is in her eternal home with God her loving father.”