Cookstown tragedy funerals: pupils form guard of honour for Morgan Barnard

School children formed a solemn guard of honour in tribute to a young victim of the St Patrick’s Day party crush as a day of funerals began.
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funeral of 17-year-old Morgan Barnard at St Patrick's Church in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye.comThe

funeral of 17-year-old Morgan Barnard at St Patrick's Church in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com
The funeral of 17-year-old Morgan Barnard at St Patrick's Church in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Hundreds attended St Patrick’s Church in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, to say farewell to 17-year-old Morgan Barnard, who died in the tragedy outside a hotel disco in nearby Cookstown on Sunday.

Morgan’s family, who said the teenager brightened people’s lives with his humour, had encouraged friends and family to wear Hawaiian shirts or sports tops to the service.

Pupils from schools in Dungannon and Cookstown took part in the guard of honour.

Morgan Barnard,17, who died in the crush outside the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. Photo: PAMorgan Barnard,17, who died in the crush outside the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. Photo: PA
Morgan Barnard,17, who died in the crush outside the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. Photo: PA

On a solemn day for the county, funerals are also being held on Friday for the other two victims of the queue crush - Lauren Bullock, 17, and Connor Currie, 16.

The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, addressed mourners as Morgan’s requiem mass began.

He said: “Words fail us at times like this. All that really matters, and makes a difference, is love and friendship and compassion.

“And only faith can dare to speak into the darkness of these days to offer a glimmer of light and hope in this valley of tears.

DUNGANNON, NORTHERN IRELAND - MARCH 22: Maria Barnard, the mother of Morgan Barnard (C) is comforted as she attends the funeral of Morgan Barnard, one of the three teenage victims of a crush at a St.Patrick's Day Disco in Cookstown at St Patrick's church on March 22, 2019 in Dungannon, Northern Ireland. The three teenagers, Lauren Bullock, 17, Morgan Barnard, 17, and Connor Currie, 16, all died in a crush as they queued to attend a St. Patrick Day dance at at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)DUNGANNON, NORTHERN IRELAND - MARCH 22: Maria Barnard, the mother of Morgan Barnard (C) is comforted as she attends the funeral of Morgan Barnard, one of the three teenage victims of a crush at a St.Patrick's Day Disco in Cookstown at St Patrick's church on March 22, 2019 in Dungannon, Northern Ireland. The three teenagers, Lauren Bullock, 17, Morgan Barnard, 17, and Connor Currie, 16, all died in a crush as they queued to attend a St. Patrick Day dance at at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
DUNGANNON, NORTHERN IRELAND - MARCH 22: Maria Barnard, the mother of Morgan Barnard (C) is comforted as she attends the funeral of Morgan Barnard, one of the three teenage victims of a crush at a St.Patrick's Day Disco in Cookstown at St Patrick's church on March 22, 2019 in Dungannon, Northern Ireland. The three teenagers, Lauren Bullock, 17, Morgan Barnard, 17, and Connor Currie, 16, all died in a crush as they queued to attend a St. Patrick Day dance at at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

“Here in Co Tyrone this week - as families, parishes, schools and communities - we’ve been circling each other around with love and faith and kindness and compassion.

“The shocking events of Sunday last have reminded us that life is very fragile; we need to cherish every moment and always look out for each other, and keep each other safe.

“Thank-you all for being here today to offer your prayerful presence and support.

“In the days ahead, we will cherish the memories of these precious and gifted young people whose lives have been so suddenly wrenched from among us; we will continue to hold their families, and each other, close in love and faith.”

Catherine McHugh (holding red and whit umbrella), principal of St Patrick's College, Dungannon at the funeral of Morgan Barnard at St Patrick's Church, Dungannon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 22, 2019. Teenagers Lauren Bullock, Connor Currie and Morgan Barnard died after a crush at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, on Sunday. See PA story ULSTER Cookstown. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA WireCatherine McHugh (holding red and whit umbrella), principal of St Patrick's College, Dungannon at the funeral of Morgan Barnard at St Patrick's Church, Dungannon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 22, 2019. Teenagers Lauren Bullock, Connor Currie and Morgan Barnard died after a crush at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, on Sunday. See PA story ULSTER Cookstown. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Catherine McHugh (holding red and whit umbrella), principal of St Patrick's College, Dungannon at the funeral of Morgan Barnard at St Patrick's Church, Dungannon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 22, 2019. Teenagers Lauren Bullock, Connor Currie and Morgan Barnard died after a crush at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, on Sunday. See PA story ULSTER Cookstown. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

In his homily, Father Aidan McCann said it was an understatement to say Morgan was well-liked.

“He was a vivacious, charismatic and energetic young man who nobody had a bad word to say about,” he said.

“Morgan was a person of character who had a great sense of humour with an abundance of wit - always a smile on his face.

“You could never pass him on the corridor in school, and no doubt anywhere else, without getting a warm look or a quick joke as he passed.

“Morgan had a strong personality and didn’t care too much about the opinion of others, revealed in his various hairstyles or indeed lack of hair, hair colours and his flamboyant choice of shirts.

“He was constantly breaking his glasses and his mother was constantly having to buy him new school shoes as he wore them out playing football.

“He was also a humble young man who would always listen and be there for somebody if they needed him.”

A funeral service for Lauren is also taking place on Friday morning, at St Patrick’s Church in Donaghmore, while Connor’s funeral will be held in St Malachy’s Church, Edendork, at 2pm.

Michael McElhatton, 52, who owns the Greenvale Hotel where the deaths occurred, was arrested earlier in the week on suspicion of manslaughter.

He was subsequently bailed to return for further questioning in future.

A 40-year-old man also being questioned on suspicion of manslaughter remained in police custody for questioning on Friday morning.

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