Young people 'shellshocked'

Beginning with the riverside tributes to the teenager, Rachel said the display of affection for Kyle Bonnes after he drowned had come from the young people themselves.

"It was one of our young people Chelsea Cooke who came up with the idea for the ducks. They were just sitting talking on Friday, about 30 of them and Chelsea's idea struck a chord with everybody. They chipped in a couple of Pounds each and sent Chelsea to buy the ducks at Toys R Us.

"I think emotions were running high when we went dow to the riverbank and I asked them if anyone wanted to say something. One wee boy piped up and said that Kyle was a legend," she said, adding: "I said we will just have a few moments silence for Kyle. I said he was a wonderful son, a wonderful friend and a wonderful brother, and we release these ducks in loving memory of you. Rest in peace. There were lots of tears. Kyle was a very popular boy," Rachel said.

At the request of the family and Kyle's friends The Sentinel was asked to attend the release of the ducks.

Rachel said the young people formed a guard of honour along Tullyally Road when Kyle's remains came home on Friday evening, and they walked behind the hearse up to the house and watched as he was brought home.

"It was very hard for them. It was more emotional by then as they had moved on to the second stage of grieving and seeing seeing him come, some took it very hard. There was a silence when the coffin came down the Church Brae. From a personal perspective it was almost as if you could feel all their emotions and they bust into applause as the hearse drew alongside them," Rachel said.

The community centre was open from Wednesday until Sunday at 6pm after the funeral, and tea was laid on for those who attended the funeral. Thanking everyone for support they had shown the family, Rachel said everyone particularly wanted to thank the staff at the Celtic shop where the young people went to get their shirts printed.

"I phoned the manager on Friday and thanked him for his support. He said it was just a tragedy and he was very sorry to hear about what happened to Kyle. He was very surprised the young people had come in but was glad to be able to help them," she said.

"Sunday was extremely emotional for everyone. We all met at the Community Centre at 1.30pm. We were their support network and I think it was nice for them to meet. Again they formed a guard of honour at the entrance to Stevenson Park, and walked the hearse up the road.

"Summer Neeley carried Kyle's picture behind the hearse and coffin, and they all went to Ballyoan Graveyard afterward. It was very hard on them all and they were very shellshocked after the cemetery. I think it was the finality of it all. It really hit them then."