Grief as crash victims are laid to rest

The funerals have taken place of the four men killed tragically after the car they were travelling in crashed into a mini bus on the Geashill Road just outside Tullamore last Friday, August 10. Brothers Darren Doyle (27), David Doyle (24) and Ryan Doyle (17) were laid to rest after a funeral Mass in Tallaght on Wednesday, while fourth victim Lee Bryan (24) was laid to rest in Portarlington earlier today (Thursday). All four of the men had at the time of their deaths been living in the Na Cluainte estate in Portarlington. Speaking at her only son's funeral service in St Paul's Church, Portarlington June Bryan on behalf of herself, her husband Michael and her daughter Eve thanked everyone for being so kind and supportive during what is a very difficult time for her family. "As a family words cannot express our feelings and heartache in the loss of Lee, who was deeply loved, especially in the circumstances in which he tragically died along with his three friends David, Darren and Ryan Doyle, who are also in our thoughts along with those injured on the mini bus," she said. Mr Bryan was buried in the adjoining churchyard after a 2pm service officiated by Reverend Leslie Stevenson and Lynda Peilow of Edenderry Union of Parishes. On behalf of the local community Revd Stevenson offered his sympathy to both the Bryan and Doyle families. One day previously the bodies of brothers Darren, David and Ryan Doyle, formerly of Cushlawn Drive in Tallaght, made the journey from Portarlington to the Church of the Sacred Heart in Killinarden, Tallaght for a funeral Mass at noon. Speaking to the Offaly Independent Mass celebrant Fr Manus Ferry said there was standing room only both inside and outside the church for the funeral service, and approximately 600 in attendance. He added that it was particularly fitting and also an honour that the Doyle family requested to have Darren, David and Ryan brought back to Killinarden. "This would have been their home for most of their life," he said, adding that the three had been baptised in the church their funeral service was held in as well as received their First Holy Communion there. "This was where their faith began and was nourished," he said. With no answers for the deaths of the three brothers, Fr Ferry said the funeral Mass was really to honour their lives. Like the people of Portarlington and further afield, Fr Ferry said he was shocked and horrified by the accident that claimed their lives. At the Mass he spoke to the congregation about pain and suffering. The family of Darren, David and Ryan - parents Angela and John and siblings Sonia, Stephen, Gregory, Jason and Jonathan - were all, understandably, "totally inconsolable" Fr Ferry added. After Mass the funeral continued to Newlands Cross crematorium. Family flowers were requested on the day, with donations in lieu to the Alzheimers Society of Ireland. Portarlington councillor Eddie Fitzpatrick this week extended his sympathy to both the Doyle and Bryan families. He said news of the horrific accident has saddened the entire area of Gracefield as well as the greater Portarlington area. "This is a very traumatic time for the families, relatives and friends of the four young men who lost their lives and we should remember them in our prayers," he said. Meanwhile Gardaí are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the crash, which also saw three mini bus occupants brought to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Anyone who may have seen a maroon Honda Civic in the Tullamore area or a white mini bus in the Portarlington area between 4pm and 5.30pm on August 10, or who may have spoken with the occupants of either vehicle, is asked to contact Tullamore garda station on 057 9327600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.