Hundreds to attend funeral of teenager killed in accident

Hundreds to attend funeral of teenager killed in accident

5 February 2020

THE funeral takes place this morning of Downpatrick teenager Deaglan Moran who died after being struck by car at the Flying Horse Road in the town on Sunday.

A service of Requiem Mass for the Year 10 De La Salle High School student is being held at St Colmcille’s Church at 11am.

Described as someone who always had a smile on his face, Deaglan (14), was the only son of Lenny and Fiona Moran and brother of Meaghan. The family lived at Dunleath Avenue.

The teenager was hit by a car at the Flying Horse Road in Downpatrick on Sunday evening around 6.20pm. Deaglan had been out with friends when the tragic accident took place.

His devastated parents described Deaglan as “their world” and said the loss of their only son had left them “utterly heartbroken”. They said Deaglan was “the life and soul of the house”.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, the 14 year-old’s parents said they rushed to the scene of the accident where medics frantically attempted to save their son’s life.

The teenager’s parents said they had been at their home and were ready to collect their son when they received a call from one of their friends.

“We had ordered pizza and we were going to phone him [Deaglan] in order to give him a lift. Then his friend’s mum rang,” said Mr Moran.

Deaglan’s parents and his sister rushed to the Flying Horse Road where the emergency services had arrived to treat their son. The schoolboy’s mother said she prayed her son’s life would be saved.

“I knew he wasn’t breathing because they were doing CPR and they worked on him for about an hour and half,” said Mrs Moran. “It’s just so hard, he was so young. I was just in shock. I was numb. It still hasn’t hit me.

“I was just praying to God that they could get a heartbeat.”

Deaglan’s parents said they will never get over the loss of their “cheeky chappy” son who meant the world to them.

Mrs Moran said: “Deaglan loved life. He’s well known, nobody would say a bad word about him. He has just picked his options for his GCSEs. I just went to his teacher-parent meeting and no-one had a bad word to say about him.”

A social media message posted by De La Salle High School read: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Deaglan, his family and school friends.”

Local politicians have also extended their sympathy to the Moran family and say their thoughts and prayers, and indeed those of the wider community, will be with them at this sad time.

South Down MP, Chris Hazzard, said there is “shock and sadness” in the local community following the death of the teenager. He said any death on the roads is a tragedy.

The MP added ”I want to express my condolences to the family and friends of this teenage boy at this sad time.”

Downpatrick councillors Oonagh Hanlon and John Trainor also expressed their sorrow over Deaglan’s death.

Cllr Hanlon offered her deepest condolences to the Moran family and friends whom, she said, will be struggling to come to terms with this “terrible event’.

She added: “I have no doubt that the Downpatrick community will be there to support the family at this sad time.”

Cllr Trainor said Deaglan was well-liked by his peers and described him as “energetic young lad with a unique personality”.

He continued: “This is terrible news for any parent to receive. My thoughts and prayers at this difficult time are with the family, friends and all those involved in this incident. This has been a great shock for many but I am confident the community will rally around the family to support them through this difficult time.”

Cllr Trainor added: “If anyone has any information relating to this incident please contact the PSNI to help them conclude their investigations.”

Police are appealing for witnesses who were in the Flying Horse Road area on Sunday and who witnessed the accident to come forward. Anyone who can help is asked to contact police using the 101 number quoting reference 1509 02/02/20.