The early Spring sun which shone over St Brigid\u2019s Church in Carnhill on Saturday morning was in stark contrast with the dark cloud of grief that was cast over the Derry community as mourners gathered for the funeral of Caoimhin Porter-McLoone.<\/p>\n
The young man, aged 18 and from Moyola Avenue in Derry, was a passenger in a car that collided with a lorry on the R236 at St Johnston at around 11.15pm on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
The funeral of his friend Daniel Cullen, who was also killed in the devastating crash, will be held in Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Steelstown at 1.15pm on Sunday.<\/p>\n
It is believed the young men had been travelling from a supermarket in Strabane to Derry when the tragedy struck.<\/p>\n
The driver of the car, who is also aged in his late teens, is currently in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment of serious injuries.<\/p>\n
The tragedy sent shockwaves through Derry and Donegal as the two communities united in grief following the loss of the two young men.<\/p>\n
Caoimhin was the son of Stephanie and the late Darren and a brother to Chloe, Hunter, Shea, Darren and Ben.<\/p>\n
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The funeral cortege of Caoimhinn Porter-McLoone on its way to St Brigid’s Church. Photo: North West Newspix.<\/p>\n
Today’s News in 90 seconds – Saturday, February 28 <\/p>\n
He was a past pupil of St Th\u00e9r\u00e8se’s Primary School, Lenamore and St Brigid\u2019s College, Carnhill in Derry.<\/p>\n
A large crowd of family, friends, neighbours and the local community gathered at St Brigid\u2019s Church, Carnhill on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
A guard of honour was performed by staff and pupils of St Brigid\u2019s College and Don Boscos Football Club while many of the mourners wore Manchester United jerseys, a nod to Caoimhin\u2019s favourite football team.<\/p>\n
The funeral mass was led by Fr Miche\u00e1l McGavigan and con-celebrated by Fr Declan McGeehan, Steelstown Parish Priest.<\/p>\n
![\"Daniel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bce29c02-add0-42d5-ab4b-b891ab81d4b7.jpg\")
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Daniel Cullen and Caoimhin Porter-McLoone. <\/p>\n
Before the mass, a photograph of Caoimhin along with a Manchester United hat and scarf was placed next to the coffin.<\/p>\n
Fr McGavigan said the heartbroken mourners had gathered in \u201cdeep shock and sorrow\u201d to celebrate the life of Caoimhin.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis death has come suddenly and painfully, and it has left many hearts broken.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is disbelief, confusion and a grief that feels too heavy for words. Today we do not pretend otherwise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe come just as we are; stunned, grieving and carrying a love that now has nowhere to go,\u201d said Fr McGavigan.<\/p>\n
So <\/p>\n
Caoimhin\u2019s tragic death comes just over one year after the death of his father, Darren.<\/p>\n
Fr McGavigan explained Caoimhin had taken time out following his father\u2019s death, but he was \u201cready to start work, to build something and make his mark on the world\u201d when his life was cut short.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Tuesday evening, in a car accident, it was taken from him and with him, his friend Daniel, also only 18.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo young lives, two families, two communities now carrying a grief that feels unbearable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we speak about Caoimhin, what shines through so clearly is not only the sadness of his death, but the goodness of his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was known as a kind-hearted, caring, handsome, funny young man, but also a deep thinker, an old soul wise beyond his years,\u201d Fr McGavigan.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/723ec535-53e1-45b2-b92e-fc9a58301507.jpg\")
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The remains of Caoimhin Porter-McLoone are taken to St Brigid’s Church. Photo: North West Newspix<\/p>\n
The congregation heard Caoimhin loved deep conversations, was interested in philosophy, the bigger questions of life and he and his mum Stephanie could often be found discussing conspiracy theories.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s a small detail, but it says something striking.<\/p>\n
\u201cA mother and a son who truly enjoyed one another’s company, who talked, who laughed and who shared ideas freely,\u201d said Fr McGavigan.<\/p>\n
The congregation heard Caoimhin loved football, was a devoted Manchester United fan, enjoyed his PlayStation and \u201cmusic blaring through his headphones.\u201d<\/p>\n
He had played football for Don Boscos during his younger years until he suffered an injury, while he had recently joined the gym and was preparing for job interviews.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was ready to start work and to step into adulthood,\u201d explained Fr McGavigan.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had plans to travel and with his interest in architecture, he wanted to see historic places like Edinburgh and Rome.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe planned to go see Manchester United this year, a special connection with his father Darren, with whom he shared that love of football,\u201d said Fr McGavigan.<\/p>\n
The congregation heard that Caoimhin was deeply loved at home and was idolised by his younger siblings, Hunter, Shay, Darren and Ben, and shared a special close bond with his older sister Chloe.<\/p>\n
Fr McGavigan said his mother, Stephanie, spoke of \u201ca good child who never brought any bother.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlways smiling, always ready to wind up and carry on.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was affectionate and loving, never leaving the house without a kiss and a hug and an I love you.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose moments are priceless now. They are a gift that nothing can take away,\u201d said Fr McGavigan.<\/p>\n
Caoimhin was remembered as being a good help around the house and despite the losses he suffered, he remained sensitive to others.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0cc40f84-0a7f-44b5-a2cf-130b790922b2.jpg\")
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A large crowd of mourners gathered at the church in Derry. Photo: North West Newspix<\/p>\n
Fr McGavigan continued, \u201cEven after all the loss he had already endured, the death of his granny, his uncle, and then his father, he did not grow hard or bitter.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe remained sensitive to others, able to sense when someone needed a lift and willing to give it.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe always tried to see the good in people and in situations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat tells us everything about the kind of young man he was,\u201d said Fr McGavigan.<\/p>\n
Fr McGavigan said Caoimhin\u2019s death was \u201cheartbreaking and unfair\u201d but said his goodness will live on the memories and hearts of those who loved him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not here to pretend that this is anything other than heartbreaking and unfair, but we are here to say this with quiet conviction; God does not create such goodness in a life to allow it simply to end in nothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cA heart like Caoimhin\u2019s; affectionate, loyal, thoughtful and generous is not a mistake, it is not wasted.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis life did not end on Tuesday evening, his life continued and continues under God’s gentle gaze until we all meet again\u2026 we believe that he is safe, held and at peace, reunited with his father Darren, resting in a love that cannot be taken away,\u201d said Fr McGavigan.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Caoimhin\u2019s family and friends, Fr McGavigan urged them to be patient with each other and not to carry their grief alone but to lean on family and friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep walking together, keep talking and keep looking out for one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarry Caoimhin\u2019s kindness forward because that is how love endures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is how even when the world has changed, we learn to see differently,\u201d said Fr McGavigan.<\/p>\n
Family members said Prayers of the Faithful for Daniel Cullen who died in the crash and for all those who died on the roads in recent days while those who were seriously injured and recovering in hospital or at home were also prayed for.<\/p>\n
A prayer was said for the communities that has been affected by the tragedy and for Caoimhin\u2019s grieving family and friends.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/3217ce5f-b5d3-46ec-9980-84c1ca6f7b3c.jpg\")
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The remains of Caoimhinn Porter-McLoone is carried to St Brigid’s Church by family and friends. Photo: North West Newspix<\/p>\n
Following the funeral mass, Caoimhin\u2019s remains were taken from the church to the City Cemetery for burial.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, the St Johnston community gathered at St Baithin\u2019s Church for a service in memory of the two young men who died in the crash and the young man receiving treatment.<\/p>\n
Taughboyne parish priest Fr Philip Kemmy said the community was grief stricken and horrified at the terrible tragedy which occurred in the locality and acknowledged the heartache and shock the families of the young men are experiencing at this time.<\/p>\n
He told the congregation that while the young men were not from the parish, the community’s name will be forever etched on the hearts and minds of those who loved them.<\/p>\n
“There are no words that we can come up with that will take away the pain that Daniel and Caoimhin’s families feel.<\/p>\n
“The words we speak are the words we speak to God and we pray for their families, we pray for the young man who is seriously ill and his recovery,\u201d Fr Kemmy said.<\/p>\n
Garda\u00ed and emergency services were alerted to the collision, involving a lorry and a car, which occurred at around 11.15pm on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.<\/p>\n
A male passenger of the car, aged in his late teens, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His remains were conveyed to the morgue at Letterkenny University Hospital.<\/p>\n
A second male passenger, also aged in his late teens, was conveyed to Altnagelvin Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.<\/p>\n
Garda\u00ed are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said: \u201cRoad users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 10.45pm and 11.45pm on Tuesday 24th February 2026 are asked to make this footage available to investigating Garda\u00ed.<\/p>\n
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on (074) 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The early Spring sun which shone over St Brigid\u2019s Church in Carnhill on Saturday morning was in stark…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":322153,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[25665,61,60,43],"class_list":["post-322152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ireland","tag-emma-ryan","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=322152"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322152\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/322153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=322152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=322152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=322152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}