Northern Ireland

Greenvale Hotel victims' funerals told 'Those who leave us in death leave their footprint on our hearts'

 The funerals of Morgan Barnard (left), Connor Currie (top right) and Lauren Bullock (bottom right) have taken place in Co Tyrone. The three teenagers died following a crush outside Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on St Patrick's night. Pictures by Mark Marlow and PA
 The funerals of Morgan Barnard (left), Connor Currie (top right) and Lauren Bullock (bottom right) have taken place in Co Tyrone. The three teenagers died following a crush outside Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on St Patrick's night. Pictures by Mark  The funerals of Morgan Barnard (left), Connor Currie (top right) and Lauren Bullock (bottom right) have taken place in Co Tyrone. The three teenagers died following a crush outside Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on St Patrick's night. Pictures by Mark Marlow and PA

THERE were harrowing scenes as three teenagers who died following a crush outside the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown were laid to rest in their home parishes.

Morgan Barnard (17), Lauren Bullock (17) and 16-year-old Connor Currie lost their lives as they queued for a St Patrick's night disco with up to 400 other young people.

Mourners, young and old, came in their droves yesterday to pay their last respects to the teenagers and to support their grieving families.

The first funeral was that of Morgan Barnard, a "humble young man" with a deep love for the Irish language and "an abundance of wit".

His pregnant mother's anguish was clear and family members kept her from collapse.

An hour later it was the turn of the Bullock family from Donaghmore who had chosen a floral coffin in the softest of pinks for their only daughter, 17-year-old Lauren.

The student at St Patrick's College Dungannon was "a girl who was happiest when she was doing things to help others", and who loved her dog and cheerleading in equal measure. 

It was at Lauren's funeral in Donaghmore that the congregation was offered solace through the expression 'Those who leave us in death leave their footprint on our hearts'.

At 2pm the family of Connor Currie were joined by the wider Edendork community for Requiem Mass in St Malachy's Church. In poignant scenes Connor's three little brothers were dressed in Edendork GAA jerseys while Connor's team mates formed a huddle around his coffin before his family made the lonely journey towards the church door.

The 16-year-old, who studied alongside Morgan Barnard at St Patrick's Academy in Dungannon, was "a gem" with an "infectious smile" which "warmed everyone’s hearts".

Mourners at each of the funerals were reminded of the fragility of life, the importance of celebrating love and the deep need for compassion. 

The three families in turn were uged to take one day at a time as they grieve the loss of their vibrant, cherised children.

Connor Currie (16), Lauren Bullock (17) and Morgan Barnard (17) died following a crush outside a St Patrick's Day disco at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown
Connor Currie (16), Lauren Bullock (17) and Morgan Barnard (17) died following a crush outside a St Patrick's Day disco at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown Connor Currie (16), Lauren Bullock (17) and Morgan Barnard (17) died following a crush outside a St Patrick's Day disco at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown