We will miss your humour, wit and smile

We will miss your humour, wit and smile

5 April 2017

THE heartbroken parents of Downpatrick teenager Christopher Martin, who died in a weekend car accident, say they are “absolutely devastated at the loss of their beautiful son.”

Christopher — who would have been 19 next month — died in a single vehicle accident at the Saintfield Road outside Crossgar during the early hours of Sunday morning. He is the 12th person to lose their life on Northern Ireland’s roads this year.

The teenager, who left St Patrick’s Grammar School last year after his A-levels, was on a gap year and had been working on a part-time basis at the Sports Direct store in Downpatrick.

Christopher, youngest son of Kieran and Anne Marie Martin and brother of Hannah and Philip, will be laid to rest today following Requiem Mass at The Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph in Crossgar.

The teenager’s parents said while Christopher was over six foot tall “he was still the baby of the house.”

They added: “We had 19 wonderful years with Christopher and are absolutely devastated at the loss of our beautiful son. We will miss his wit, humour and infectious smile.”

St Patrick’s Grammar School principal, Sean Sloan, described Christopher as a “friendly, unassuming, hardworking young man, generous with his time, particularly in helping others around him, always with an infectious smile.”

He added: “Christopher was always willing to assist in school life. He quickly became very popular with his fellow students and teachers with a great sense of humour. Christopher was always courteous in school with a helpful, pleasant, mature nature and strong sense of commitment as a role model at St Patrick’s Grammar School.”

A keen soccer player, Christopher had represented Amateur League side Kilmore Rec at various underage levels after first joining the club’s under 11 team.

Gerard Linden, who was one of the teenager’s coaches during his time at Kilmore Rec, described Christopher as a ”great trainer who never missed a session and gave 100 per cent every time.” He added: “Christopher was proud to put on the Kilmore Rec jersey and he was just Kilmore through and through.”

Local politicians including South Down MP Margaret Ritchie, Chris Hazzard MLA and councillors John Trainor and Terry Andrews have extended their sympathy to the Martin family. 

Miss Ritchie said “death is always tragic whenever it takes place, but it is more alarming, numbing and poignant when it happens abruptly as a result of an accident.”

She added: “My sympathies are with the family of this young man and I know that the local community will surround them and offer them support, both practical and emotional, in the difficult weeks and months ahead.”

Mr Hazzard said the Downpatrick teenager’s death has “shocked the local community” and that any death on the roads is one too many, adding: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of this young man at this sad and difficult time.”

Councillor Trainor said it is terrible when anyone dies but particularly so in such sudden circumstances, while councillor Andrews said no words can describe the heartbreak the Martin family are experiencing.

“The thoughts of everyone will be with Christopher’s parents, brother and sister and extended family circle at this most difficult of times. There are no words to describe the pain and sadness they are experiencing. My heart goes out to them all.”

Christopher’s funeral cortege leaves the family home at the Brackenridge development in Downpatrick this morning at 11.15am for the noon service in Crossgar. Following Requiem Mass, the teenager will be buried at the Holy Family Cemetery in Teconnaught.

Police investigating the weekend accident have issued an appeal for information to assist them with their enquires and are keen to hear from anyone who may have been travelling along the Saintfield Road outside Crossgar around 4am last Sunday morning. Anyone who believes they can help is asked to contact officers on the 101 non emergency number quoting reference number 341 02/04/17.