Tributes to teenager who died in crash

Tributes to teenager who died in crash

7 February 2024

THE funeral has taken place of Downpatrick teenager Jamie Marks who died in a road accident last Friday.

The 18 year-old – who was known as Jay – has been described as “fun loving”, “bubbly” and a “typical young lad”.

Yesterday morning’s funeral service was held at St Patrick’s Church in the town, four days after he tragically lost his life in a crash at the Ballylough Road outside Castlewellan.

Glowing tributes have been paid to the teenager, including one from Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman Valerie Harte, who extended her deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Jamie, who is survived by his parents, Donna and Patrick, sister Leasa and brother David, had recently started a new job and was training to become a welder.

Downpatrick councillor Conor Galbraith, who knew the teenager through a local youth club, said he was “just your typical young lad” who was fun loving and loved to be in the middle of everything.

He said the Marks family was well known throughout the community, which was rallying round with its support.

In memory of the teenager, a number of local football clubs observed a minute’s silence before their respective games on Wednesday.

Ballynagross FC extended its sympathy to the Marks family in a social media post.

“We share the sadness of the entire community at the tragic passing of Jamie Marks, brother of our youth coach Leasa. We send our condolences to Leasa and her family at this heartbreaking time.”

Jamie’s former club, Celtic Bhoys FC, also posted a social media tribute.

“Everyone at Celtic Bhoys FC was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden and untimely passing of our former youth player Jamie Marks,” it said.

“Jamie was a character and will be sadly missed by all that knew him including all his former teammates.

“We send our deepest condolences to Donna, Paddy, Leasa, David and all the wider Marks and Martin family circle at this very sad time.” 

The post added: “We would like to thank all our opposing teams for joining us in observing a minute’s silence at all of today’s youth and senior matches.”

Kilmore Rec FC said everyone was “deeply shocked and saddened” to learn of Jamie’s “tragic and untimely passing”.

Its post added: “Jamie was an ex-player having played for the club a couple of seasons ago. 

“To hear of his passing at such a young age is nothing short of devastating. We extend our deepest condolences to Jamie’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

At Monday night’s monthly meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council, Downpatrick councillor Oonagh Hanlon and Rowallane councillor David Lee-Surginor extended their sympathy to the Marks family.

“It has been a very sad week for the district and I extend my sympathy to the Marks family,” said Cllr Hanlon.

“James was very much loved and a very popular young man and it is always extremely sad to see young people pass away. I extend sympathy to his parents Paddy and Donna and his siblings.”

Cllr Lee-Surginor extended his “profound sadness” at the teenager’s untimely passing and said his thoughts were with the Marks family.

Meanwhile, police have issued an appeal for information following the fatal accident.

They are keen to hear from anyone who may have been travelling along the Ballylough Road last Friday afternoon between 2.30pm and 3pm and may have seen his blue Vauxhall Corsa car.

They are particularly keen for anyone who may have any dashcam footage to come forward and get in touch via the non-emergency 101 number, quoting reference is 1074 of 02/02/24.

A report can also be submitted via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/