The funerals of three teenagers who died outside a hotel disco on St. Patrick's Day took place earlier today.
Morgan Barnard, 17, Lauren Bullock, 17, and Connor Currie, 16, all tragically died on Sunday when the entrance queue for a teenage disco at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone turned into a crush of people.
The deaths of the three teenagers have created a "valley of tears" in County Tyrone, the head of the Catholic church in Ireland has said.
Hundreds have attended funerals in Co Tyrone, as family and friends say goodbye to Morgan Barnard, Lauren Bullock, and Connor Curriehttps://t.co/L66zPQdPaQ pic.twitter.com/NunJbRZ3HQ
— UTV Live News (@UTVNews) March 22, 2019
Schoolchildren formed tearful guards of honor during back-to-back funerals attended by thousands of friends and relatives on Friday.
Archbishop Eamon Martin told mourners: "Words fail us at times like this. 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."
Maria Barnard, the mother of Morgan Barnard (2nd L) is comforted by James Bradley, father of Morgan Barnard (L) as she attends the funeral of Morgan Barnard, one of the three teenage victims of a crush at a St.Patrick's Day Disco in Cookstown at St Patrick's church on March 22, 2019 in Donaghmore near Dungannon, Northern Ireland.Image: Getty
In his homily for Morgan Bernard, Fr Aidan McCann said remembered Morgan as "vivacious, charismatic and energetic young man who nobody had a bad word to say about".
"Morgan had a strong personality and didn't care too much about the opinion of others revealed in his various hairstyles or indeed lack of hair, hair colors and his flamboyant choice of shirts... He was also a humble young man who would always listen and be there for somebody if they needed him," he said.
The teen had a passion for the Irish language and loved school, the congregation heard.
It is the second St. Patrick's Day tragedy to strike the family of the 17-year-old. An uncle of Morgan's lost his life in a terrible atrocity in Dungannon back in 1976 when the UVF blew up the Hillcrest Bar.
Mourners carry the coffin as they attend the funeral of Lauren Bullock, one of the three teenage victims of a crush at a St.Patrick's Day Disco in Cookstown at St Patrick's church on March 22, 2019 in Donaghmore near Dungannon, Northern Ireland. Image: Getty
Sympathizers at the funeral of Lauren Bullock heard of how she was "living the dream" and "full of life" before the tragic incident.
Parish Priest of Pomeroy Fr David Moore said: "Lauren was well in the process of making her mark on her home, her school, this community, her circle of friends.
"She 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."
Fr Moore said Lauren "had a bright future in front of her" and her "real passion" was cheerleading with the Euphoria Cheerleading group.
Edendork Football team members walk ahead of the coffin as they attend the funeral of Connor Currie, one of the three teenage victims of a crush at a St.Patrick's Day Disco in Cookstown, outside St. Malachy's Church on March 22, 2019 in Edendork near Dungannon, Northern Ireland. Image: Getty
Mourners at the funeral of Connor Currie have heard how he "lit up a room as he entered it and his infectious smile warmed everyone's hearts."
Dungannon parish priest Fr Kevin Donaghy said: "In recent days Connor’s parents and close family have been greatly comforted by the good memories shared with them by Connor’s classmates and team-mates and teachers and friends.
"Friends have recalled how he lit up a room as he entered it and his infectious smile warmed everyone’s hearts."
Read More: St. Patrick’s Day horror – three teens killed in Tyrone disco stampede
Fr Donaghy continued: "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!
"Away from home he was a star as well, a conscientious student who had his sights set on doing accountancy, the office desk and computer set-up in his bedroom a sure sign that 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."
Mary Lou McDonald, Leader of Sinn Féin (2nd L) and Michelle O'Neill, Vice President of Sinn Féin (C) join mourners at the funeral of Connor Currie, one of the three teenage victims of a crush at a St.Patrick's Day Disco in Cookstown. Image: Getty
Police said some fell and were trodden underfoot.
A 52-year-old man was arrested earlier in the week on suspicion of manslaughter and bailed to return for future questioning.
A 40-year-old man remains in police custody on suspicion of manslaughter.
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