Community's bond of grief in wake of double tragedy

The village of Ratoath came to a standstill on Thursday, as the first of the two victims of last week's horrific car crash was laid to rest. There were scenes of grief as 20 year-old Brian Bradley's remains were carried through the village to the Church of the Holy Trinity, where his former schoolmates at Castleknock College and his many friends formed a guard of honour. The church was packed for the funeral Mass, where Ratoath parish priest, Fr Gerry Stewart, spoke of the shock and grief that had engulfed the community. He told Brian's grieving parents, Maedbh and Richard. and brother, Conor, that Jesus "had promised dreams beyond our expectations" and these were waiting for Brian. "Think of the very best you can and that and much more is waiting for Brian," he said. Among the items carried into the church along with Brian's remains were a photograph, a rugby ball to signify his love of rugby and a black ie, a symbol of his work at Ballymagarvey Village, Balrath. Fr Stewart remarked on how popular Brian had been and of the large numbers of people who had turned up at his home and for his funeral. "He loved working at Ballymagarvey and loved working with his father - and the more challenging the better," he said. Fr Stewart also spoke of the young man's love of cars and his interest in all things mechanical as well as his love of rugby. "He was unusual for a young man in that he had many friends among older people and was very much at ease with them," he said. The tragedy that had enguled the family and the community had raised many questions for which they could find no answers. He said that, without any warning, the family had been plunged into darkness and their hopes and dreams were gone. He spoke of the family's love for each other and their pain, sorrow and agony at Brian's death. Fr Stewart said the tragedy had brought the whole community together in a common bond of grief. "You have come together in overwhelming numbers and young people in particular," Fr Stewart said. He added that the family were grateful for the support of the community and also appreciated the work of the gardai, emergency services and staff of Our Lady's Hospital in Navan. He said their thoughts were also with the family of Fergal Ronan, who died in the accident with Brian, in the early hours of Tuesday morning of last week, and whose funeral took place the following morning, Friday. Brian Bradley's remains were removed to Glasnevin Crematorium after the funeral Mass for cremation. Heartbreaking Just 24 hours later, there were further heartbreaking scenes at the same church at the funeral of 21 year-old Fergal Ronan. The church was overflowing as hundreds of mourners, most of them young people, showed their respects to the local man who had died alongside his friend, Brian Bradley, whose funeral took place in the same church a day earlier. As his remains arrived at the church from his home in Fairyhouse Lodge, former schoolmates in Castleknock College, providing a guard of honour, were among those who stood in line as his remains were borne into the church. Fr Brendan Ferris told the congregaton that Fergal had packed a lot of living into his 21 years. "He never stood still, he was always on the move. He was a great worker and ran his own business as well as studying in DIT," he said. Fr Ferris said that Fergal had always been good at turning waste into something useful. Copper was his latest interest and his friend, Brian, had given him copper as a present for his 21st birthday. "He loved his nephews and nieces and had no problem getting down on the ground to play with them," the priest added. Fr Ferris recalled, however, that when Fergal was nine and heard he was about to become an uncle for the first time, he said he was too young. "We gather as a parish to give thanks to God for Fergal's life and the joy he brought to so many, and to pray for his family, parents, David and Mary, and his brothers and sisters, Linda, Gordan, Ray, Conor, Caragh, Sean, Aidan R, Aidan M and Beibhinn." He said their prayers were also with the family of Brian Bradley and Fergal's many friends, including those from Castleknock College and DIT. Among the gifts brought to the altar during the offertory procession was the box of copper Brian Bradley had give Fergal for his 21st birthday, his motorbike helmet, his boxing gloves and a family photograph signifying the first love of Fergal's life, his large and loving family. During the prayers of the faithful, family members prayed for the many friends who had been a huge support over the previous few days and for the emergency services. Fr Ferris said that the family meal in the Ronan house had always been important. It was a precious time together to be able to share and chat. He said that for people of faith, like Fergal's family, they would all be reunited again and would share in the banquet of eternal life. Following the funeral Mass, Fergal Ronan was buried in Ratoath Cemetery.