The names of five young people killed in a road crash in Co Louth will be now forever united together, a funeral for one of the victims has heard.
The funeral masses for Chloe McGee and Shay Duffy took place today, just a short distance from each other in Co Monaghan.
In his homily at Ms McGee's funeral, Monsignor Shane McCaughey said the crash had devastated the five families of those who had died.
"Five names that will be forever united when people recall the terrible events," he said.
The group was travelling in a Volkswagen Golf to Dundalk for a night out last Saturday when the car crashed.
Alan McCluskey, aged 23, from Drumconrath in Co Meath; Dylan Commins from Ardee in Co Louth; and Chloe Hipson, aged 21, from Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland, also died.
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Another man in his 20s travelling in the Volkswagen Golf was brought to hospital in Drogheda with non-life-threatening injuries.
Two people in the other car suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
A guard of honour was formed by members of Magheracloone Mitchell's GAA club as the hearse carrying Shay Duffy's coffin arrived at the rural St Patrick’s Church in Rockchapel.
Mourners lined up in the church grounds and spilled out onto the narrow country road leading up to it.
Others watched a live stream of the mass across the road in Carrickasedge Hall.
President Catherine Connolly was also at the funeral along with the Taoiseach's Aide de Camp.
Chief celebrant for the mass Fr Ben Hughes, the priest of the Diocese of Clogher, said it was with great sadness that he welcomed everyone to the church.
He extended his sympathies to Shay’s parents, Carmel and Raymond, his brothers Vinny and Ben and his girlfriend Zara, as well as his grandmothers Marion and Philomena, his uncles and aunts, his cousins, and to the extended Myles and Duffy families.
The mass heard that Shay’s friends had welcomed him home on Tuesday and kept vigil with him and his family for the past number of days.
His friends Chloe, Alan, Dylan and Chloe were also remembered.
'Confident and a problem solver'
Fr Hughes said even at the young age of 21, Shay had lived a very full and impactful life.
"Shay is warmly remembered and deeply loved by many and in particular by his dedicated parents Carmel, Raymond and his brothers Vinny and Ben.
"As we prayerfully celebrate and reflect on Shay’s life, we know that after completing his schooldays in Scoil Bhríde and in the Patrician High School, Shay undertook an apprenticeship in plumbing, completing his studies in Technological University of the Shannon in Athlone, and in Dundalk Institute of Technology."
The mass heard that Shay was a genius in the restoration of cars and tractors.
"This was his pride and joy," Fr Hughes said.
He was described as someone who was "always on the go, confident and a problem solver".
The symbols of his life presented before the beginning of the liturgy included a family photo, a photo of Shay and his girlfriend Zara, his work trousers, a photo of his cars, his brown boots, his watch, phone and aftershave, a photo of his late grandfathers.
A car with a personalised number plate reading 'Shay Duffy’ was driven to the funeral behind the hearse.
McGee 'left a light in the laughter'
This morning, the congregation at Chloe McGee's funeral mass heard she "left a light in the laughter".
Her funeral took place in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan
The 23-year-old woodwork and construction school teacher was laid to rest following the funeral mass at St Joseph's Church in the town.
In his communion reflection, Chloe's brother Aaron said that in a moment the ordinary became something "unthinkable".
"One moment, a heartbeat, a breath and the ordinary turned into the unthinkable," he said.
"Now, your name feels soft when spoken as if everyone who says it is trying to hold it carefully, so it won’t break."
Aaron said his sister and her boyfriend, Alan McCluskey, whose funeral took place yesterday, had a "way of becoming children again" whenever they were together.
"Playful, unfiltered, turning the smallest moments into something bright and laughing."
He described the couple as "two hearts completely themselves finding comfort and joy in each other's presence".
Aaron said his sister "carried a spark" for the world beyond her doorstep, making plans at the last minute - "saying let’s just go".
"And turning your free-spirited nature into a kind of magic.
"You chased travel the way you chased happiness - eagerly, freely as if adventure were a friend calling your name," he said.
He said his sister had left "echoes in places you never meant to, empty chairs, unfinished plans, hands that still reach for you without thinking".
"But you also left a light in the laughter you gave so easily, in the way you made others feel seen, in the warmth that has outlived the moment you were taken.
"Grief in the shape of an absence carved, but love is everything that remains.
"We carry you forward not as a shadow of loss, but as quiet truth that life, even a short one, can be bright enough to change the people who loved you," Aaron said.
Closing his reflection, he said: "Rest gently, Chloe. You are missed in ways words can only try to hold."
Monsignor Shane McCaughey told those gathered at the mass that faith was a very important factor in the life of Ms McGee.
Among the symbols presented before the beginning of the liturgy were her car keys, which represented her independence, and a photograph of her and her boyfriend Alan McCluskey.
Mgsr McCaughey said they were a great couple and her passport also represented where Ms McGee wanted to go, exploring the world.
Other symbols included a cowboy hat, which represented her love of country music, jiving and dancing.
A family and graduation photo and an Ó Fiaich Institute jersey were also brought as symbols, as Mgsr McCaughey acknowledged that she had wanted to spend her career helping young people.
He said he appreciated the presence of President Catherine Connolly in the church.
The Taoiseach's Aide de Camp, Commandant Joe Glennan, was there to represent both Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris.
Ms McGee's parents had had their hearts broken, almost ripped from them, Msgr McCaughey added.
"Parents shouldn’t have to bury a child, it’s the wrong way round," he said.
He said Ms McGee's siblings had created a unique circle in life which had now been broken, which would be very hard to bear.
Msgr McCaughey thanked members of the emergency services attending the funeral, including Louth Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern and Superintendent Charlie Armstrong from Dundalk Garda Station as well as first responders, the fire service and medical staff.
Msgr McCaughey remarked on her fun and joy, and "her determination to overcome obstacles and her willingness to achieve her goals".
