Peter Finnegan, of Clogher, Peter (Petey) McNamee, of Garvaghey, and Nathan Corrigan, of Sixmilecross, all in their 20s, died in a horrific crash at Garvaghey, near Ballygawley, in the early hours of Monday morning.
The funerals for Mr. Finnegan and Mr. McNamee were held on New Years Day.
Mourners at both funerals heard how the tragedy cast a black cloud over Tyrone and left people shocked and bewildered.
Their friend Michael Moore, who was also in the car, is gravely ill in hospital.
Mr. Corrigan’s funeral is due tomorrow.
Clogher’s pastor Noel McGahan said the sudden death of Mr Finnegan created a “deep void” in the lives of his parents, Peter and Catherine Finnegan.
Father McGahan added: âThe experience of death is always troubling. But the death of a young person, in the prime of life, is overwhelming in its effects.
âIt raises unanswered questions and calls into question the very meaning of the purpose of life and above all, it puts all our faith to the test.
âThe death of Peter with two of his friends, Nathan Corrigan and Peter McNamee, shocked and stunned the whole country.
âThe communities of Garvaghey, Beragh and Clogher have had a dark cloud over all of these communities over the past week. But the biggest shock is for their families, friends and colleagues.
âPeter’s sudden departure created a deep void in his parents’ lives. The biggest nightmare for any parent – burying a child.
âIt’s also very heartbreaking for his sisters and brothers.
âBurying a child is burying the future, burying its parents is burying the past.
âThis sad experience is something that goes against nature and the rhythm of life itself.
âIn trying to cope with this untimely death of Peter, it is also recognizing that there are no easy answers, that there is no cheap consolation in the face of death.
âThere are content sound bites to soften the pain of loss, godly platitudes ring hollow on occasions like this.
âThe virtuous man, although he died before his time, will find rest. Maybe Peter accomplished as much at 21 as if he had to live to be an old man.
He said Mr. Finnegan had a great work ethic and was an integral part of his work team at O’Hanlon Engineering in Tyrone, and had a “very bright future”.
âHis honest and never giving up attitude had a very positive influence on his peers. He had this natural ability to form friendships and he will be sorely missed in his respected workplace, âadded Father McGahan.
“He will always be remembered as a young man full of life and pleasure, and a young enthusiast.”
Mourners at Mr. McNamee’s funeral, held in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Beragh, learned that he is someone who enjoys life to the fullest.
Pastor Colum Curry said: âPetey will indeed be remembered and remembered with great affection. He will never get old. He will not tire of an age because he will forever be young in the memory of those who loved him.
“But at the same time, there will always be a feeling that there was so much more that Petey could have done, so much more that life had to offer him, so much more that he would have accomplished if only the circumstances had been nicer. with him. But he was not to be. “
Father Curry urged those in mourning not to think about what he could have done, but rather what he accomplished in his 20 years.
âSo, as much as we are sad today, there is something to be thankful for,â added Father Curry.
âWe are grateful for the life he has had, grateful for the way he has lived this life and thankful for the immense joy and pleasure he has brought into the lives of people.
âHer family and her many friends have a multitude of fond memories to cherish.
âMemories of someone special, someone who loved music. Someone who enjoyed life to the fullest.
âI have been told that Petey has many friends, too many to count and to all, he was a staunch and loyal friend.
âHe was a hard worker, up early in the morning, gifted with his hands. But he could also be thoughtful because he had a sensitive personality.
He said deaths were not a family’s way to start a new year.
Father Curry added, âOver the past few days I have visited the homes of the four families affected by this tragedy. All of them have been an inspiration in terms of dignity and I am sure they will bring a lot of consolation in these dark and difficult days.
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