HEARTBREAK AS MARK (41) IS LAID TO REST
THE heartbroken family and friends of Aughrim man Mark Byrne bid him a final farewell as he was laid to rest in Annacurra cemetery.
Mark (41) sadly passed away on March 6 following a tragic accident at a railway line near Parkwest in Dublin as he was on his way to a five-a-side game with friends.
Son of Seán and Eilish from Our Lady’s Drive in Aughrim and father to Leah (15) and Joshua (13), Mark was the eldest son in the Byrne family.
He is described as ‘ having the patience of a saint’ and always tried to look out for his siblings, Patrick, John, Ronan, Clodagh and Daniel.
Mark had a particularly close relationship with his youngest brother Daniel and was devastated when Daniel passed away tragically two years ago.
In recent months, Mark had re-entered the world of education and was studying history and politics in UCD. He was doing well in the course which opened the door for him to commence a degree in Trinity College.
His ambition was to achieve a social care qualification and to work with young people.
He was a past pupil of Sacred Heart NS and Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, and, in his younger days, he worked with his uncle Pat Lacey in forestry and was also skilled at roof shuttering.
Mark had moved to Bray, where he could easily commute to college, and had a wide circle of friends through his course.
He credited his friend Pierce with encouraging him to apply for a college place.
At a memorial service in the Access and Lifelong Learning Centre, all 25 of Mark’s classmates and his tutors shared their memories of him. Their kind words were very much appreciated by the Byrne family, who were touched to learn that Mark had made so many friends and had also supported others.
He was described as a student with plenty of potential and intellect.
The funeral Mass for Mark was said at St Bridget’s Church, Annacurra, by Fr Sheridan and Fr Cosgrove. Afterwards, Mark was laid to rest with his brother Daniel.
He is survived by his loving parents, Sean and Eilish, his children Leah and Joshua, his siblings Patrick, John, Ronan and Clodagh, his relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.