The parents of Tiarnán Trainor (13), who died following a collision involving a quad bike in Co Armagh, have told how they will be “forever proud” to call him their son.
Heartbroken mum Majella Campbell told mourners attending a Requiem Mass in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Jonesborough today that her beloved ‘TT’ “left this world too early”.
“On the day we lay him to rest, from his heartbroken mummy and daddy [Conor], we will love him forever,” she said.
“This child brought nothing but happiness and joy to our lives.”
Ms Campbell said her son was “full of love, affection, kindness, adventure, curiosity, devilment and energy” in equal measure, which made sure “life was never dull”.
“Conor and I brought TT into this world — and he was, without doubt, our world,” she added.
“We will cherish every moment we had to savour, nurture, love and share in the life of our beautiful son.”
The grieving mother thanked the entire community for their sympathy and support following the loss of her “very popular son”, who “packed more than enough into his 13 years of life”.
“Our lives will never be the same without him,” Ms Campbell said.
“We will keep his memory alive in our hearts and minds. We will miss Tiarnán forever, but be forever proud to call Tiarnán our son. We love you, Tiarnán.”
A loved one read out an emotional tribute from the teenager’s devastated father which lamented the fact that there are “too many ‘no mores’”: “No more ‘Can I get in the lorry, Da?’ No more ‘Do you want tea, Da?’ No more ‘Can we go to the shop, Da?’. No more ‘Can I have money, Da?’ No more ‘Are you all right, Da?’ No more ‘Night, night, Da’. No more I love yous.”
Mourners were told Tiarnán “put up a strong fight to live” following the collision which happened near his home on the Low Road in Killeavy last Thursday.
Fr Seamus White recited prayers for all the emergency service workers who tried to save the young boy, including paramedics and Air Ambulance crews at the scene, in addition to staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital, where Tiarnán passed away.
“Today we thank them from the bottom of our hearts,” the priest said.
“We recognise it’s a big loss for family and friends. To them I would say: have hope that you will see Tiarnán again.
“He will never grow old; he will be forever young.”
Mum Majella and her partner Scott, dad Conor and his partner Sharon, alongside other family members, placed souvenirs before the altar to represent different aspects of Tiarnán’s personality.
The sentimental items included a toy transport truck representing the St Paul’s High School Bessbrook pupil’s “desire to drive and love of lorries”, boots signifying his ambition to “follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather” and an Armagh GAA jersey.
Staff from his secondary school and from Jonesborough Primary School were among the congregation at the funeral service, which Tiarnán’s cousin David travelled home from Australia to attend.
Classmates and teammates from Killeavy GAA were also present, paying their own emotional tributes and reading prayers for their friend who “always knew the right thing to say”.
Fr White acknowledged the pain caused by the death of “one of life’s characters”.
“A dark cloud of grief and anguish has descended over most of south Armagh since last Thursday,” he said.
“All of us our heartbroken at the untimely nature of Tiarnán’s passing.
“It’s a very different kind of loss. Tiarnán is being mourned by so many people because he had strong roots all over the country.”
The cleric said Tiarnán loved sport, including boxing and soccer, and looked up to his dad, uncles and cousin.
“He had hopes of becoming a lorry driver one day, and perhaps an electrician too,” Fr White said.
“Tiarnán liked to read newspapers and articles on Irish history. He was interested in his own family history, and that gave him a sense of his place in the world.”
The priest recalled confirming Tiarnán in the church back in May 2022 and described him as a “fun-loving young man” who was “a very good child and kind to his two sisters”.
“He adored his parents and he was thoughtful towards his grandparents,” he said.
“[On family holidays], Tiarnán would ask the hotel reception where the local Catholic church was [because] both his grandparents had a dedication to the Mass.
“His manners were impeccable. He was always in good form and took everything in his stride. His large network of love meant he was such a happy child.
“Tiarnán packed a lot of life into his 13 years… He was a great blessing to all of us.”
Tiarnán’s coffin was taken to Sacred Heart Cemetery, where he was laid to rest following the service.