Buncrana remembers car crash victim Eamonn McDaid

The remains of Buncrana car crash victim Eamonn McDaid have been brought to St Mary's Church in Cockhill, Buncrana, for requiem mass.

Mourners lined the paths up to the church, while Illies Celtic Football Club stood for a guard of honour.

Mr McDaid, like PJ McLaughlin who was buried yesterday, played for the local club. He was a midfielder.

Parish priest Fr John Walsh told all the young people and friends of Mr McDaid’s that they were not indestructible.

“Dear young people, friends and associates of Eamonn, permit me to address you,” he said.

“Allow me to say that you are not indestructible at 22 years of age. You are very fragile. All of us are. Life itself is fragile.

“We have to be careful and even wise if we are to reach adulthood and middle age and old age.”

Fr Walsh said he did not want to patronise them.

“When I was your age, I too felt indestructible. But none of us is,” the parish priest said.

“That’s a plain fact of life. So please, please, please live life on its terms, within its rules and boundaries, otherwise life will be cruel and merciless towards you and towards the family and friends who will have to bear you to the grave.”

The mourners were led by Eamonn’s devastated parents, Seamus and Martha, brothers Martin, Sean, Liam and James, and his girlfriend Yvonne.

A spanner was placed at the altar reflecting his work as a mechanic and carpenter, along with a number 10 Illies football jersey and a photo of a smiling Eamonn in a shirt and red tie.

Fr Walsh described Eamonn as an admirable young man who had accomplished much in his 22 years.

“He was a loving son and an affectionate brother,” he said.

“A bubbly character, wild for craic, as they would say, he was the life and soul of every party.”

He said Eamonn’s laugh and smile were infectious, and that he was full of smart comments.

Fr Walsh said Eamonn was loyal to his friends and they to him.

“A very good mechanic, he could work efficiently at speed,” Fr Walsh said.

“He enjoyed football and was very competitive at this. He enjoyed seeing others get their comeuppance on the football field.”

To the grieving family he said his words were paltry and pathetic.

Eamonn was buried in the adjoining cemetery.