Northern Ireland

Co Tyrone Gospel outreach worker killed in RTC was 'kind and considerate person'

The joint funeral of Mary Faxton and her son Kevin at St Peter and St Paul Church, Bessbrook. Picture by Mark Marlow.
The joint funeral of Mary Faxton and her son Kevin at St Peter and St Paul Church, Bessbrook. Picture by Mark Marlow. The joint funeral of Mary Faxton and her son Kevin at St Peter and St Paul Church, Bessbrook. Picture by Mark Marlow.

A CO Tyrone Gospel outreach worker who was killed in a road traffic collision at the weekend was a "kind and considerate person" who "always put other people ahead of himself."

Family and friends of Ian Kennedy, who died on Saturday, yesterday gathered for his funeral at St James’ Church of Ireland in Donemana.

Mr Kennedy, who was 67, was killed in a two-car collision in Co Cavan alongside his colleague, Joan McAlister (66), who was from Portadown, Co Armagh.

Rev Robin Stockitt, said Mr Kennedy was a "generous hearted man".

The minister told the congregation that following the death of his wife eight years ago Mr Kennedy's Christian faith deepened and he dedicated the last number of years dedicating his life to the service of God.

"He travelled all over Ireland serving his saviour," he said.

"Ian was a kind and considerate person. He always put other people ahead of himself. If there was a time of need he was always there for everyone, no matter what they needed His sudden passing has left all of us shocked and distraught".

Following the service, Mr Kennedy was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

Meanwhile, a mother and son killed in a road traffic collision at the weekend, were also laid to rest yesterday.

Mary Faxton, who was in her eighties, and her son Kevin, who was in his fifties, were involved in a two car collision on the N1 at Carrickcarnan at the border at about 2.15am on Saturday.

Requiem Mass took place in the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Bessbrook, where the mother and son were from.

Interment took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Another man, who was travelling in the other car. was also killed.

Bryan Magill was 25-years-old and from Newry.

Keith Lennon (20) appeared before Dundalk District Court on Monday charged with dangerous driving causing the death of three people and failing to stay at the scene of a crash and report it, in relation to the collision.