Man killed in road crash gives gift of life to six others after his organs are donated

A young Co Tyrone man killed in a weekend car crash has given the gift of life to six others through organ donation, his funeral has heard.

Patrick Mcginn (21) died as a result of injuries sustained in a fatal crash last Saturday.

Mr Mcginn passed away on Monday, two days after the single vehicle accident on the Ballygawley Road near Castlecaulfield.

Requiem Mass took place on Thursday at St Patrick’s Church, Aughnagar. Parish priest Fr Pat Hannigan told the congregation that Patrick’s organs have helped six other people.

He said: “We are told in the

Gospel that unless a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.

“That can indeed be said of Patrick. He was an organ donor and his organ donation has meant that six people have been given the gift of life and hope..”

The young man, from Cranlome Road, Ballygawley, was described in death notices as the dearly beloved eldest son of Martin and Karen and dear brother of Emma, Ryan and Cara; and the dearly beloved grandson of Pat and Ann and

Breige and the late Eugene Stewart. Extending the deepest sympathy of the whole parish to the family, Fr Hannigan shared his own fond memories of the young man.

He said: “I have known Patrick since he was six years old, serving Mass in this chapel until his vestments got too short, but of course that didn’t bother him. He was a fairly laid back horizontal kind of lad. He let nothing disturb him. He was never busy, just moving along.”

Following Requiem Mass, Mr Mcginn was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.