'Night night Luca, we love you' - Family say heartbreaking farewell to tragic teen

Mourners at the funeral of a 17-year-old Mayo teenager who died in a road traffic accident heard his death is a reminder that life is precious and life is a fragile gift.

Hundreds of mourners packed into the Church of Mary Immaculate in Achill Sound this morning for the funeral Mass for Luca Callaghan and to express their sympathy and solidarity to his parents, Darren and Fidelma, and his brothers, Ciarán, Cody, Rhys and Dean, and extended family and friends.

Luca, an apprentice mechanic from Owenduff, Achill died in the early hours of Monday morning when the car he was driving struck a pole close to the Achill Head Hotel at Pollagh on Achill Island.

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Fr John Murray, Parish Priest in Achill told the congregation that the community has been left shocked and saddened by the events of last Monday morning and the Callaghan family are shattered and heartbroken at the death of someone so young.

“Our words are unable to capture how we all feel for you at this devastating time. What can we say to you but tell you to lean on the massive love and support and solidarity which surround you…which is there for you these sad days and may you in the future times remember it as a sign of our great love and concern for you all.

“This is a sad and cruel goodbye and all we can be grateful for is who Luca was and what he meant to everyone who loved him, liked him and enjoyed him and appreciated him. For the fact his life though short was a good and happy life and the memories of him will always be good and warm,” Fr Murray said in his eulogy."

At the start of the Funeral Mass, symbols of Luca's young life were brought to the altar by seven of Luca's friends which included a family photo, a lifejacket symbolising his love of sailing, a number plate symbolising his love of cars and a jacket from Conway's Garage in Castlebar where Luca has started his apprenticeship.

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Addressing many of Luca's young friends who attended the funeral, Fr Murray reminded them that life is fragile and asked them to look out for each other.

“My dear young people and friends of Luca, life has taught us a very harsh and cruel lesson that we are not destructible at any age. We are very fragile, all of us are and life itself is a very fragile gift. We may feel at times that we are at times indestructible but none of us are. That is a plain fact of life so please look after yourselves and look out for one another as I know you will,” he said.

The funeral heard that Luca was described as loyal and a 'cool, calm and collected person' who was 'incredibly laid back' and never in a rush or in a panic and always the 'last man out the door'.

Fr Murray said Luca flourished in Tonragee National School where he excelled at spelling and had a keen interest in English and history and made every quiz team for competitions.

Luca also excelled at sport and sailing at the local Bellacragher Boat Club where he was 'his freest' before developing a love for cars and rallying and entered the Mayo Autocross. In order to finance his rally car, he set up his own valeting business 'Achill Valet' and Fr Murray quipped that he soon discovered 'the Achill people did not have time to clean and look after their cars he was in such demand'.

Fr Murray added it was no secret that school was not for Luca and he was so happy to start the next chapter in his life when he was given an apprenticeship in Conway's Garage.

“Unfortunately that life has taken a tragic turn and in Luca's death we have lost a future, so much potential that should have been, a dream that could have been and a promise that might have been realised to the benefit of many.”

Hundreds of people from Achill and west Mayo braved windy weather conditions at Sweeney's Funeral Home in Achill Sound on Thursday evening to express their condolences to the Callaghan family.

Sporting clubs in Achill including Achill GAA and Achill Rovers as well as Achill RNLI along with students from Tonragee NS and Coláiste Pobail Acla formed guards of honour outside the church and along the route to Polranny Cemetery, where Luca was laid to rest.

Fr Murray said the massive outpouring of love, solidarity and support for Luca's family during the past week has been a huge source of comfort to the family and they wished to express their thanks to everyone who has helped and supported them.

Fr Murray closed his eulogy with the words of Luca's mother Fidelma.

“Luca unfortunately you are on your final journey and we are so devastated and heartbroken. We are not looking forward to our journey's without you. Night night Luca, we love you.”