Alan ‘had so much to live for’, says priest

The 28-year-old from Craigavon had an ‘infectious smile’, a priest told mourners at his funeral in St Anthony’s Church, Craigavon.

Mr Haughey died in a road crash near Perth on November 21, just weeks after moving to Australia.

He was tragically killed while on his way to a kayaking trip in the Kalgoorlie area.

Hundreds of mourners gathered to hear Deacon Gerry Heaney speak of how his ‘sudden and untimely death’ had robbed Mr Haughey’s family of a ‘wonderful son and brother’.

The priest described how Mr Haughey had ‘left a mark not just on his family, but other people as well’.

“His was a life that was lived to the full.”

Mr Haughey had studied mechanical engineering and became a heavy vehicle mechanic.

“Alan had a natural flair and attraction of all things mechanic. If it smelt of diesel or petrol, Alan was never far away,” said Deacon Heaney.

He also described how Mr Haughey had an ‘amazing passion for travel and had a desire to see other countries’.

“The places he visited were amazing, it is truly brilliant how he would pack up at the drop of a hat.

“Alan lived a short life but in that time, he was an inspiration,” he said.

“He put so much into life and asked for nothing. He was one of the nicest people you could meet.

“Alan crammed so much into his 28 years. He was the biggest character and will leave the biggest void behind, Alan has left us all too soon,” Deacon Heaney said.