The funeral has taken place in Galway of a second teenager who died when the car he was travelling in went into the water at Menlo Pier last weekend.
Christopher Stokes, 19, was remembered for the joy and happiness he brought to so many people.
For the second day in a row, hundreds of mourners gathered at the Church of the Resurrection in Ballinfoyle to pay their respects to a young member of their community.
Yesterday, the funeral was held for 16-year-old John Keenan, who was in the car with Christopher and a third teenager, 18-year-old Wojciech Panek.
This morning, Christopher's parents Anthony and Kate, his four brothers and five sisters and his grandparents, were supported by extended family and friends.
The young man was known to most as Christy.
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Symbols of his life were brought to the altar by some of his younger family members, including his 'man bag' with hair gel, his phone and his boxing wraps. He had rejoined the Olympic Boxing Club last week, where he had boxed as a child.
He was remembered for what was described as "largeness of spirit" and his characteristic smile.
Fr Kevin Blade said words could not express the pain and sorrow in everyone's hearts.
In his homily, he said that the sudden, tragic death of loved ones plunges people into darkness without warning.
He said the news of Christy's death, along with John and Wojciech, was a devastating shock to the people of Galway and further afield.
Fr Blade said: "Words failed to express the sorrow and pain in everyone's hearts. We all feel numb and wonder why should this happen to three young people, and to such good families.
"I know you have shed many tears for your good friend. It is good to grieve. It is good to cry. To cry for a loved one is a prayer, they are tears of love from your heart.
"Friendship is blessed. It is good that you will never forget Christopher and that you will always remember him in your prayers".
Mourners heard about the close bond between Christy and fellow boxer, John Keenan.
Fr Blade said: "I remember Christopher when he just six or seven years of age, making his First Holy Communion. He was a happy child and up to mischief at times like all kids."
There was a ripple of laughter though the tears of mourners as Fr Blade recounted his childhood antics.
He said: "I remember him and others climbing the roof of the church and sliding down the slates in his cardboard box. That's what kids do. They knew no danger.
"On the long summer evenings they would be putting sticks in the ground for goalposts to play football. They also loved practicing their boxing skills.
"One evening I asked to take them on but they laughed and said we wouldn't want to hurt you Fr Kevin. Christopher always addressed me as Fr Kevin."
Fr Blade said there was something very sad and inconsolable about parents having to lay their child to rest.
He said that Christy's mother Kate told him: "I should not be burying my son. It is he who should be arranging my funeral."
Fr Blade told mourners that today they must give thanks for the gift of Christy's life, for his joy, his fun, his goodness, generosity and friendship.
He was buried in the same cemetery as his friend John.
Fr Blade said: "They died as they lived - together. They will be buried in the same cemetery, the same ground and we pray that they will enter heaven together, hand in hand."
In an emotional eulogy, Christopher's younger brother Michael said he was trying to stay strong for the family but it was very hard.
"I'm trying to hold it together but I cannot help myself crying like a baby. Christy would look down at me and tell me to cop on to myself.
"But we had a bond, Christy, myself and the brothers are all Ballinfoyle lads and we look out for each other and all our second and third cousins as well. We're all family."
Holding back the tears, he said quietly: "God help the three boys who died in the car that night."
A cremation ceremony will take place tomorrow for Wojciech Panek who was from Cois Na Bearu, Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny.
The funeral is taking place of a second teenager who died in Galway pier tragedy. Christy Stokes (19) remembered for "largeness" of spirit and charismatic smile @rtenews pic.twitter.com/sZxtZWFF8e
— Teresa Mannion (@TeresaMannion) February 16, 2023
