Funeral Mass of second Louisburgh tragedy victim video-streamed live to friends in New Zealand

THE funeral Mass today of a young Mayo man who died on Christmas Day in a drowning accident near his home, was video-streamed live to friends in New Zealand who could not make it home for the burial.

Declan Davitt (26), Curradavitt, Killadoon, Louisburgh, was laid to rest in Killeen Cemetery, overlooking the Atlantic, following Requiem Mass in the adjacent Church of the Holy Family.

Declan and his lifelong friend, Martin Needham, died in the early hours of Christmas Day when the jeep in which they were travelling was swept downstream after entering the Carrowniskey River.

Martin's funeral took place yesterday.

Killeen Church was again packed to capacity for Declan's funeral, with excess mourners being accommodated in the nearby community centre where the Mass was relayed via loudspeaker.

Undertaker Peter Sweeney explained to The Connaught Telegraph that the Mass was being heard simultaneously in New Zealand, where Declan had many friends having worked there.

The main celebrant at the funeral Mass, Fr. Mattie Long, said Declan's young life, with so much potential and energy and zest for living, was ended far too soon by 'a cruel, random mis-chance'.

He recalled that seven years ago the Davitt family had lost Kathleen but had carried the pain of that loss since with dignity.

He described Christmas Day as 'a long, dark day' in the life of the community and thanked all those who had opened their doors to provide food and shelter for members of the rescue services.

Recalling Declan's four years in New Zealand, Fr. Long said he had grown and developed in confidence as a young person there and it was a testiment to the depth of friendships that he had made in New Zealand that many friends who knew him there had travelled to Ireland for the funeral.