Minister's challenge as teenager is laid to rest after poignant service

Describing Kyle as a young person who was frequently "a handful to those who had the job of managing him", nevertheless, he asked: "How often do we just see young people as problems rather than young people with both the problems and challenges they face - seeking identity, integrity, value, affirmation, hope and opportunity - when these often are in short supply?"

He added during Sunday's funeral service: "Never let it me said that our lack of ambition causes the next generation to lack the personal ambition or united resolve to make our community a better place."

Recalling Kyle's early years, Rev Hanna said Kyle and his mother Fiona spent his early days in Antrim moving and settling in Ballyclare, where he lived as part of a close-knit family with his Gran Lilian and Granda Willie playing a large and important role in his upbringing while Fiona was at work.

"Their loss is shared by Wendy, William, Rodney and Calvin, and most of all by his little brother Dale," he said asking the congregation to remember the entire family in their prayers.

When the family moved to Tullyally some years ago Kyle joined Lisneal College and Rev Hanna described him as 'an independent lad'.

"Missing his friends from Ballyclare he took himself off to Portrush on one occasion, and had to be dragooned back. But that was the type of him. Loyal to his friends, a pain all too often to those who loved him and a handful to those who had the job of managing him.

Lovable rogue

"He has been described as a 'lovable rogue', you could not be up to him, but you could not but like him. Good manners, and wrong choices marked his young life in equal measure. He may have been known to make a nuisance, or bang your windows, but he would just as readily have greeted someone or given them a helping hand," Rev Hanna said.

He said Kyle was "a teenager more interested in the school of life than school itself", adding: "But there are hard lessons there. Running around with mates became all important to him. Sadly, as we know it led to his tragic death and has left a deep scar on friends and the community."

The Minister said the gathering of so many to receive Kyle home to Tullyally on Friday was testimony to the affection of his friends.

"That so many young people came from the Fountain, Nelson Drive, and Drumahoe reminds us that there is so much more that can unite and inspire us than should ever divide and cause us to despair. When we learn how to really respect ourselves and respect others as people, life can be so different."

Highlighting the positive in Kyle, he said the teenager was active around the YM Youth Club, and the Community Centre in Glendermott, both of which had also been "a real source of help and hope to many at this difficult time".

"The family want me to place on record their thanks to all who have been close and supportive in these past dark days, to Mr Lamrock, and especially to Mr (Mark) Sergeant and patrons of the Three Mile, who tried to help Kyle when he met his accident, and the members of Foyle Search and Rescue Team who attended."

Highlighting the boy's love of football, he said: "Kyle was a regular on the terraces at Institute Football Club, and the club have been generous in supporting the family in recent days also. His real love was Rangers, their success his delight. The family were touched to see so many around the house wearing the strip with his name and the No 1 on the back. This is a memory that will last a long time.

Cool

"He did play sport in his younger days but as so many young men have found, hanging out with the girls was a full-time occupation. Granda had just bought him an expensive pair of trainers, but then there is no price too high to pay for cool. Kyle was a lad of the PS, Computer, mobile phone, Bebo generation."

"What can be said then of Kyle? He was a comedian, with a real gift-of-the-gab. He was a quick learner, though only the things that fired his imagination. The family were joking recently, that he was hoping to start shaving soon - growing up quickly. Maybe not quickly enough or in every way all might have liked. A big lad who was really just a wee lad, with much learning to do.

"But he had learnt to love his family. So close to the Granda whom he looked down on, and all of you who do know he really did love you. And friends too. Who will miss him and must remember him. And learn from his experiences.

"And all of us also who ask, what might have been? Sadly we cannot know. Perhaps we can hope that others will find something good to say of us when we our life's story is told. Better still let's try encouraging each other now, and begin with our young people, to raise our expectations and theirs, for better days ahead for us all."