Even the heavens wept for Morgan, Lauren & Connor
ST PAT’S HOTEL TEENS LAID TO REST
A new baby will know his or her brother by stories of love FR AIDAN MCCANN CO TYRONE YESTERDAY
IT was a sight no one should have to witness – three church yards streaming with heartbroken youngsters as they said farewell to cherished friends.
Hundreds gathered yesterday for the funerals of Morgan Barnard, Lauren Bullock and Connor Currie.
The three teenagers died on St Patrick’s Night in a crush outside a disco at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
Awash with grief, their pals helped in the only way they could, offering an outpouring of love.
There were no words that could heal, no sentiments to ease the pain. Just the honouring of the living and the dead with honest, brutal emotion.
Morgan, 17, was the first to be buried as mourners gathered at St Patrick’s Church in Dungannon for a service led by Fr Aidan Mccann.
Archbishop Eamon Martin told the congregation: “All that really matters and makes a difference is love and friendship and compassion. And only faith can dare to speak into the darkness of these days to offer a glimmer of light and hope in this valley of tears.
“We’ve been circling each other around with love and faith and kindness and compassion. The shocking events of Sunday last have reminded us that life is very fragile.
“We need to cherish every moment and always look out for each other and keep each other safe.”
Fr Mccann added: “To say Morgan was well-liked would be an understatement. He was a vivacious, charismatic and energetic young man who nobody had a bad word to say about. Morgan was a person of character who had a great sense of humour with an abundance of wit, always a smile on his face.
“You could never pass him in the corridor in school or anywhere else without getting a warm look or a quick joke. He had a strong personality and didn’t care too much about the opinion of others, revealed in his various hair styles and his flamboyant choice of shirts.
“He was constantly breaking his glasses, his mother having to buy him new school shoes as he wore them out playing football. He was also a humble young man who would always listen and be there for somebody if they needed him.
“A new baby expected this year will know his or her brother by the stories of love they will hear about him.”
Morgan is survived by parents Maria and Jimmy and siblings Calvin, Robyn, Regan and Elyssa.
The pain continued into the second funeral service at St Patrick’s Church in Donaghmore, where the life of Lauren Bullock was celebrated.
Fr David Moore told those gathered the 17-year-old had lived too short a time on earth but had achieved a lot.
He said: “St Patrick’s Day 2019 will be called to mind as the awful day when three beautiful young people were overpowered, literally, in the mad rush of our modern world.
“On Sunday night, and during the early hours of Monday, a dark cloud hung over all of us as we struggled to understand and come to terms with the tragic turn of events on what ought to have been a night of fun, dance, friendship and laughter.
“Instead we learned, in a state of shock and disbelief, of the news of Lauren’s tragic death and the deaths of Connor and Morgan.
“We never know what each new day will have in store for any of us. One thing that never can be taken from us is our precious memories of your beautiful girl, Lauren.
“Lauren has been the essence of a wonderful and caring daughter, sister, grand-daughter, niece to her family and a loyal and caring friend to so many others.
“So many have been touched by the events of Sunday night. Take consolation in what people in the community truly thought of her and yourselves as a family.
“Lauren was living the dream, energetic and full of life, doing and enjoying all the things that made her happy. She was a girl who was happiest when she was doing things to help others and gave of herself and her time to do a good deed whenever and wherever she could.
“Lauren’s many friends described her as having a warm and bubbly personality with a very infectious smile. That’s a lovely picture for all of us to have of her in our minds today.
“She was getting on so well in St Patrick’s College in Dungannon and her teachers can attest to how eager and very able a student Lauren was.
“She had a bright future and we know she still had so much more to contribute to our community.
“Involved in football and the Scouts, she had started driving lessons and had taken to it like a duck to water.
“Lauren’s real passion was cheerleading with the Euphoria Cheerleading group. Lauren was a girl who loved to get dressed up, loved make-up, her nails done, a bit of style, her hair just right.
“Family values and family time were so very important to her. She was full of energy, a delight to her parents and a marvellous support to her brothers.
Benji the dog arrived three years ago as Lauren’s dog and he was absolute gold dust, her pride and joy.
“When tragedy strikes, there’s a numbness that comes with it. We don’t want to think too far ahead and we cannot imagine life without her warmth and presence.
“One day at a time is the only advice we can offer. Know you have the love and support of the entire community. We will all be here for you.” Lauren is survived by parents Mary and Martin and brothers Shane and Ryan.
Then at 2pm, the funeral of 16-yearold Connor Currie took place at St Malachy’s Church, Edendork.
Fr Kevin Donaghy told mourners: “Connor knew an abundance of times to laugh and even to dance.
“Over the years of his young life there was a lot of time to build up his academic success and his sporting skill, plenty of good times with family and friends, treasured times together.
“Most of all, Connor knew a great amount of time to love and to be loved, most especially within his own family where he had a remarkable capacity to look after his younger brothers, so much so he could be left to look after them and even prepare food for them.
“The times with Connor were good times. Friends have recalled how he lit up a room as he entered and his infectious smile warmed everyone’s heart. Teachers remember him as a courteous and appreciative young student, always in the habit of saying thank you as he left the classroom – though he maybe let that be the passport that got him through an odd bit of mischief as well.
“At home that ‘thank you’ was a constant habit as well. He knew he was loved at home, his parents’ gem.
“Away from home he was a conscientious student who had his sights set on accountancy, the office desk and computer in his bedroom a sure sign he was preparing for a life of paperwork, computers and figures.
“He was a star on the football field as well, the trophy brought up at the start of the Mass just one token of the commitment and skills he was developing.
“There’s a thing too about Connor maybe his friends didn’t know. He was actually born in Armagh and lived in Portadown until he was about seven.
“He recently went to the Mckenna Cup Final with his Tyrone top on but before leaving, he let his Armagh-born mother see he had an Armagh top on underneath. Connor was going to be a winner either way.
“And a winner indeed he was. A winner of a loving family, a winner of many loyal friends and team-mates, a winner in school life and on the sports field and a winner, above all, of a place among the ranks of God’s children.”
Connor is survived by his parents Eamon and Ciara and brothers Sean, Cormac and Cahir.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was represented at the funerals by his Aide de Camp, Comdt Caroline Burke, while Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou Mcdonald attended alongside northern leader Michelle O’neill.
A 40-year-old man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by detectives investigating the deaths of three teenagers at the Greenvale Hotel was last night released on police bail pending further inquiries.