The family of Inishowen teenage crash victim, Thomas Gallagher, have paid an emotional tribute to the 18-year-old who they described as their “darling son and brother”.
Thomas died along with friend, Alana Harkin, also 18, when the car they were travelling in was involved in a single-vehicle accident near their home at Gleneely early on Monday.
A third teenage victim is in Letterkenny University Hospital being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
In a heart-breaking tribute, the teenager’s family said: “Thomas was the light of every room and his loss has forever changed our lives".
The teenagers were travelling home from Simpson’s Bar and Restaurant in Carndonagh where Alana worked when the accident happened.
Thomas was a Leaving Cert student at Moville community college where his mum, Helen also taught. Alana completed her Leaving Cert at Carndonagh community school earlier this year.
In a tribute to Alana, management at Simpsons’ Restaurant said it was with heavy hearts that they learned of her tragic death.
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In a social media post, they said: “Alana had a smile that would brighten up any room; she was always so bubbly and friendly; she will always have a special place in our hearts and will be sorely missed by all".
The teenagers will be laid to rest following separate funerals on Friday after their remains were returned to their Gleneely homes on Tuesday afternoon.
Alana’s Requiem Mass will take place at St Marcy’s Church, Bocan, Culdaff at 11am with burial afterwards in the adjoining graveyard. Thomas will be laid to rest at Ballybrack, Moville at 1pm.
Retired parish priest, Fr Jim McGonagle, who attended the scene of Monday’s tragedy, said he knew all involved. He said he knew Alana since the day of her birth as a premature baby.
Fr McGonagle told Highland Radio: “She was prematurely born in Altnagelvin hospital and I was there; we thought at the beginning she (Alana) would lose but she won her fight and she turned out to be one of the most wonderful young people that I have known in my lifetime".
He said the tragedy was the most traumatic of his priesthood.
