'Leader among men' Thomas Gallagher laid to rest amid heartache in Inishowen

Rain teemed from the heavens as the horse-drawn carriage carrying the remains of horse enthusiast Thomas Gallagher turned onto Chapel Lane on Friday.

The black horses bowed their heads as they stepped through a guard of honour formed by busloads of Thomas’s schoolmates from Moville Community College, who lined the route. The skies above Lough Foyle darkened to frame the scene.

The 18-year-old, who was killed alongside friend Alana Harkin on Monday morning in a road traffic collision near Gleneely, was laid to rest after Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church, Ballybrack.

Many mourners wore yellow ribbons, depicting the ray of light that Thomas was in his short life.

'Magnetism' of Alana Harkin recalled at Funeral Mass

On Friday morning, hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of Alana Harkin, one of two teenagers killed in a horrific road traffic collision in the early hours of Monday

Hundreds of the same people had attended Alana’s funeral in Bocan on Friday morning. A convoy of cars made the 18km journey to Ballybrack, passing the stretch of the R238 laden with floral tributes at the spot where the tragic collision occurred.

“In the first hour of Monday, life changed and will never be the same for Thomas and Alana’s families,” parish priest Fr Eddie Gallagher said. “Our gathering in tragic circumstances reminds us of the preciousness of human life and how things can change so drastically for us in the blink of an eye.”

The horse riding enthusiast worked at the Cooley Equestrian Centre in nearby Moville. His horse riding helmet was among the gifts carried to the altar by friends.

Fr Gallagher said: “He was successful at whatever he put his mind to, from the football to hurling, but most especially his beloved horse riding at Cooley.

“He was never interested in the competitive side of horse riding. He just loved working with horses and side walking with kids who came for their first experiences. He was so kind and generous and softly spoken.”

A harpist and a fiddler gently played as mourners wedged into the Church. Outside, many hundreds more stood in sombre silence. Among the mourners was the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, a native of Gleneely.

In late September, Thomas’s grand-uncle Fr John Downey - a brother of Hollywood star Roma Downey - passed away.

Fr Gallagher said: “Little did we imagine that we would be here in such circumstances. Today, quite simply, we want to remember Thomas at his best.

“He packed a lot into 18 years of life. He was looking after everyone else from the moment he was born. He was protective of you all. When he was told he was having a baby sister, he literally jumped for joy. He was so happy that his family felt so complete and he happily walked Emily around the estate in a pram.”

Thomas’s heartbroken parents, Dominck and Helen - who taught her son art while he was a first year in Moville Community College - and siblings Roán, Dominick, Emmet and Emily

In the summer of 2022, Thomas attended the Belsonic festival at Ormeau Park with a group of friends, listening to artists such as Iron Maiden, Gerry Cinnamon, Picture This, Dermot Kennedy aim Gallagher, Lewis Capaldi and Calvin Harris. It was there he forged a bond with Aoife, who became his girlfriend. A beautiful frame carved from wood with Aoife’s name inscribed, which Thomas made and which held pictures of the young couple, was brought up by a friend.

Fr Gallagher quoted the words of the Picture This hit ‘Take My Hand’: “Take my hand. And we can go walking. And we can talk about whatever is on your mind. Be my friend, but secretly like me. I wanna catch you staring and make you go all red.”

Mourners wept as Fr Gallagher told how these were ‘precious memories of young love’ and how Thomas and Aoife were ‘inseparable for the past 18 months’.

“Thomas understood how important it is to life each day as a new gift from God,” Fr Gallagher said.

A group of close friends carried gifts commemorating Thomas’s life to the altar.  These included a frying pan and a box of eggs to signify his love of fried eggs, Versace Aftershave, an Ellesse Coat, his working boots and clothes and a plaque and keys form a vintage tractor.

A photo of Thomas and his friends from their school formal rested beside his coffin.

“A band of brothers describes them very well,” Fr Gallagher said.

“I see the picture of the boys at the formal, the band of brothers come to my mind.

“Thomas was a leader among men, protective of his band of brothers and friends, getting you lifts home or walking you home.

“You guys have the memories you’ll never forget. Remember the good times and try to follow his example.”