Mark was a cheerful wee boy

Mark, a keen member of Aghaderg GAC, was hit by a van outside his home just before 8am. He was rushed to Craigavon Area Hospital but died a short time later.

A great aunt of the St Colman’s College student, Marie McAteer, said Mark had been a “very active wee boy who played Gaelic football and hurling for the local Aghaderg GAC.”

She said everyone was “in complete shock” following the tragic accident.

“He was waiting for the bus for school and it was raining heavily,” she explained. “I think the bus was late and as they live opposite the bus stop his mum Felicity said ‘I will drop you down as far as Scarva’.

“She went to get the car and didn’t know what happened, if he stepped out of the van just hit him.”

Miss McAteer said Mark was the youngest of three children.

“Felicity and Mervyn are trying to get things organised,” she added. “Everything is very raw and very hard to accept at the minute.”