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Londonderry crash: Funeral for Aaron McDonald is held | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The funeral of one of two young men killed in a car crash on the outskirts of Londonderry has taken place. | |
Aaron McDonald, 19, and his cousin Michael McDonald, 21, from Donemana, near Strabane, were killed in the accident on Wednesday. | Aaron McDonald, 19, and his cousin Michael McDonald, 21, from Donemana, near Strabane, were killed in the accident on Wednesday. |
Aaron's funeral was held at St James' Parish Church in Donemana on Saturday. | |
Michael McDonald's funeral will be held at the same church on Sunday. | Michael McDonald's funeral will be held at the same church on Sunday. |
Church of Ireland minister at St James', Rev Judi McGaffin, said she had been "shocked" and "saddened" to hear of the deaths. | Church of Ireland minister at St James', Rev Judi McGaffin, said she had been "shocked" and "saddened" to hear of the deaths. |
"I helped prepare Aaron for his confirmation some years ago, and I know Michael's family very well as well," she said. | "I helped prepare Aaron for his confirmation some years ago, and I know Michael's family very well as well," she said. |
"After the last few days of talking to the family, and what I have known in the past of the two boys, I could describe both of them in exactly the same way. | "After the last few days of talking to the family, and what I have known in the past of the two boys, I could describe both of them in exactly the same way. |
"They were fun-loving boys, they were very caring, compassionate, they were full of love for their families, for their community and they both radiated love as well." | "They were fun-loving boys, they were very caring, compassionate, they were full of love for their families, for their community and they both radiated love as well." |
Rev McGaffin said both families had been left "numbed" and devastated" by the deaths of Aaron and Michael. | Rev McGaffin said both families had been left "numbed" and devastated" by the deaths of Aaron and Michael. |
"It will take some time for it all to sink in and with the help of the community they are coping," she said. | "It will take some time for it all to sink in and with the help of the community they are coping," she said. |
"Over the past few days I have been in Donemana with both families and I have noticed just how many young people are there. | "Over the past few days I have been in Donemana with both families and I have noticed just how many young people are there. |
"There were hundreds, literally hundreds of young people there the other night, but yet the village was very quiet. | "There were hundreds, literally hundreds of young people there the other night, but yet the village was very quiet. |
"Donemana is a very tight knit and a very caring and loving and very compassionate community. | "Donemana is a very tight knit and a very caring and loving and very compassionate community. |
"Everybody knows everybody and they're getting a lot of very clear support from their neighbours and friends and from people much wider afield than Donemana." | "Everybody knows everybody and they're getting a lot of very clear support from their neighbours and friends and from people much wider afield than Donemana." |
The crash happened on the Victoria Road between Newbuildings and Magheramason. | The crash happened on the Victoria Road between Newbuildings and Magheramason. |
Two other people were in the car. | Two other people were in the car. |
An 18-year-old man arrested after the accident has been released on bail pending further enquiries. | An 18-year-old man arrested after the accident has been released on bail pending further enquiries. |
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