The parents of a teenager who died in the Greenvale tragedy have spoken of their pain as they struggle to cope with their devastating loss.
Morgan Barnard (17) was one of three teenagers who died as they queued to get into a disco at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on St Patrick’s night 2019.
Two other teens, Lauren Bullock (17) and 16-year-old Connor Currie, also tragically lost their lives.
Last night Morgan's parents Maria Barnard and James Bradley revealed how they continue to battle against their grief as they try to come to terms with their unbearable loss.
Maria told how the couple's deep personal pain has intensified in the two years since their son died and remains raw.
"It's like a visceral pain, down in the gut, deep down inside, as deep as you can get it," she said.
"I am is still stuck in that night and can't tear myself away from that.
"It's difficult to accept, you are just covering it up day by day, you don't want to deal with it.
"You don't want to say you will never see him again."
The grieving mother said the burden of loss can be crippling at times.
"The second year has been horrendous, you are going through life just doing what needs to be done - just doing the bare minimum and most days are a struggle," she said.
Pregnant at the time of Morgan's death, Maria later gave birth to little Laurcon Morgan - named after the big brother he will never meet.
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The popular teen also left behind older brother Calvin (22) and three sisters Robyn (6), Reagan (5) and Elyssa (4).
Maria explained how every day events that most people take for granted can give rise to feelings of guilt.
"We have a laugh and happy times with the children but that comes with massive guilt because you are laughing," she said.
"You feel guilty because Morgan is not here and he would have been laughing along with the rest of us."
Maria explained how on the first anniversary of her son's death her family closed themselves off from the outside world as they grappled with their grief.
However, the loving mother said she and James are determined things will be different this year for the sake of their other children.
"We pulled the blinds last year and shut the doors and stayed in the house and never went through the door," she explained.
"We have four children who need to enjoy St Patrick's Day.
"This year the blinds will be up and the radio will be on and we will have a wee party."
The loving mum said the decision to celebrate on March 17 is a big step for the family.
"The children know it's St Patrick's Day," she said.
"It takes the pressure off a wee bit and lets the reins go a wee bit.
"From our point of view it's a big, big step to have the blinds up and treat it like St Patrick's Day."
Maria said that while the family remains focused on finding out how their son died, keeping Morgan's memory alive is hugely important to them.
"The truth is out there and it's coming soon," she said.
"But we need to remember Morgan here, we don't want him to be forgot - to just be that lad who died at the Greenvale.
"He was a real person and had a name and was a real character."
