TWO OF THE three funerals being held today in memory of the victims of Sunday night’s horrific car crash in Co Donegal have taken place. Mass for 66-year-old bachelor Hughie Friel began at 10am this morning in St Michael’s Church, Urris, near his home.

Funeral mass for Mark McLoughlin, 21, who was travelling with seven friends in the car that was in contact with Mr Friel’s vehicle, was also held this morning. Speaking during the service for Mr McLoughlin at St Mura’s Church in Fahan, Fr Neil McGoldrick said that the local community is stunned by the crash.

Speaking of Mark, Fr McGoldrick said:

“Just 21, and in the fullneess of good health, far too young to die and yet here we are in St Mura’s Parish Church today to pray for and say farewell to Mark  McLaughlin, son, brother, friend.”

This afternoon a second funeral will be held in the same church, for Patrick PJ McLaughlin, 21, at 3pm. Four more funerals are due to be held tomorrow, including that of Paul Doherty, 19, who would have celebrated his 20th birthday tomorrow.

The crash was Ireland’s worst ever road accident.