Sister delivers moving eulogy during Funeral Mass of Dylan Commins in Ardee

There were heartbreaking scenes in Ardee this afternoon as mourners gathered for the funeral mass of 23-year-old Dylan Commins, the second victim of last weekend's devastating Louth crash to be laid to rest.

Mourners heard how Dylan was someone who "brought light, laughter and adventure into all their lives", in a moving eulogy given by his sister Lauren at the end of the Mass.

"Dylan lived quickly, loved deeply, and laughed loudly," she said. "He left an imprint on everyone he met - through his friendship, his mischief, his kindness, and his unstoppable determination. Though his life was far too short, it was packed with adventure, with bravery, with joy, and with the love of family and friends who adored him."

President Catherine Connolly was among the mourners who filled the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady as the community gathered to say their farewells just hours after Dylan's friend Alan McCluskey had been laid to rest in Drumconrath.

Chief Celebrant Father Francesco Campiello, Curate of the Parish of Ardee & Collon, said "there are no words” at a time like this and while usually we are full of words, when death appears, especially a tragic death, we find ourselves speechless.

"Today, amid this silence, we have proclaimed the Word of God, which is the only Word that can bring meaning and light to this difficult moment."

He said all the tears that were shed since last Saturday were all precious in God's eyes and were not wasted.

Symbols brought to the altar at the start of Mass included a picture of Dylan's lorry, his boots and his Coole Automotive T-shirt to represent the thriving business he had built; a photo of Dylan's family to represent the memories that will continue to hold them together; and one of his many scrambling trophies to represent his love for Milverton Motorcross Club.

His Winnie the Pooh teddy, his advent calender and his Santy letter were brought forward representing his "softer side" and lastly one of the Dylan's customised number plates to represent the strong friendships he had built during his life.

Fr Campiello spoke of how he too had lost his 18-year-old brother ten years ago in a car accident and knew what they are going through, but gave them a message of hope that and that "it is not the beginning of an endless chapter of sadness in their life".

In the Prayers of the Faithful, prayers were offered for Dylan, for his family, his friends, his late grandparents Peggy, Tommy and Tom and for the souls of his deceased friends Alan, Chloe, Shay and Chloe and their grieving families. Prayers were also offered for An Garda Siochcana and all first responders.

At the end of the mass Dylan's sister Lauren delivered the eulogy and told how Dylan was born on 17th April 2002 to Thomas and Denise, brother to Lauren and later Jessica and Sarah.

"Adventurous doesn’t even begin to describe him. Once he started walking, he never stopped - and that spirit carried him through every chapter of his life"

"He began his schooling in Monastery National School in 2006, though anyone who knew Dylan knew that “sitting still” was never his strong point. He tried his hand at Ardee Athletic Club, Ardee Celtic, and the Sean McDermotts - but let’s be honest, none of that was ever his cup of tea. What he wanted was something real, something practical, something that moved.

"In 2014, he started secondary school in Ardee Community School, and this is where his friendships truly began to grow. School wasn’t exactly his favourite place - unless there was a chance to use his hands. Give Dylan something to build, fix, or take apart, and he was in his element.

"It was during this time that he joined Ardee Boxing Club, and unlike the earlier sports, this one stuck for a bit longer. But then his passion for motocross took over, when he joined Milverton Motocross Club."

And Lauren told how as a family travelled to north county Dublin most Sundays to support Dylan with what he loved before Covid.

After school, she said his life truly began to flourish. "He tried many jobs, but following instructions was never something he was fond of. Like his Dad, Dylan wanted to be his own boss. And slowly, that dream began to take shape."

Cars were the great lovely of his life and from the age of 14, she said the Donegal Rally became a yearly pilgrimage and one that never lost its magic for him.

She also recalled how he spent ten months in Australia, working hard in the mines and making lifelong friendships before returning for his mother's 50th birthday and never never went back.

Soon after, he started Coole Automotive, his transport and recovery business and she told how he travelled the length and breadth of Ireland doing what he loved most.

"He could sell anything to anyone - he was the only man in Ireland who could sell a rough IS200 and convince you it was the best buy you’d ever made".

"He had big plans - bigger than most people his age, she said " but on 15th November, those dreams were cut heartbreakingly short, alongside the lives of his friends. And nothing will ever be the same again."

Bishop Michael Router, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh, before leading the final prayers of commendation, spoke of how the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Dylan, together with Chloe McGee, Chloe Hipson, Alan McCluskey and Shay Duffy, had left communities across this region, and indeed across the whole country, shocked and grieving.

"None of us can easily comprehend the scale of what has happened. All we can do is hold Dylan and each of his young friends in the embrace of our prayers and commend them to the eternal mercy of God," he said.

Addressing Dylan's family, Bishop Router said they were not alone and were held by a community of care.

After his Funeral Mass, Dylan was laid to rest in Old St Mary's Cemetery.