Mother pays touching tribute to 'loving and beautiful' son James at his funeral Mass

The mother of 13-year-old James Daniels, one of two teenagers killed in a traffic accident at Cloonfad on the Mayo/Roscommon border on Friday evening, described him at his funeral Mass today as “a whirlwind of uncontrolled exuberance, charismatic, loving and loyal to the core and so funny."

At Requiem Mass in a crowded St. Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad, Karen Daniels referred to James as the family’s “beautiful, blue-eyed, sweet baby."

Ms. Daniels urged her young son’s friends in Cloonfad United Football Club, Ballyhaunis Community School, Foroige, and elsewhere “to stay strong and try not to dwell too long on how he (James) was taken from us."

Addressing the Fagan family, who lost their son Harry (19) in Friday’s accident and whose teenage son, Dermot, was seriously injured, Ms. Daniels thanked the Fagan family for all the love and kindness they had shown James over the years.

“Your home was a second home to him and we know you loved him like a son.

“We are so sorry for the loss of your beautiful young man, Harry. Our kind and precious boys were taken too soon."

In a message to Dermot, who is recovering in hospital, Ms. Daniels said: “We want you home, please get better soon."

Earlier, Ms. Daniels told mourners that some of the stories they had heard in recent days from classmates and others had brought the family great comfort and joy.

She continued: “James took nothing seriously. Nothing fazed him. One line he used regularly was ‘Chill out Mammy, it’s really not that bad’. And, you know, it wasn’t."

James and Harry lost their lives in the collision between the car in which they were travelling and a tractor at Lavallyroe, Cloonfad, shortly after 8 p.m. on Friday evening.

Along with Harry’s teenage brother, Dermot, the trio were going to a soccer match in the local pitch in which their club, Cloonfad United, was involved.

The driver of the tractor involved in the impact is recovering from his injuries.

The main celebrant of the Requiem Mass was Fr. Mark Quinn, a relative of the Daniels family, assisted by local priest Fr. Joseph Feeney and other members of the clergy.

Following the Requiem Mass, James’s remains were brought to Shannon for cremation.

James is deeply mourned by his parents Chris and Karen, brother Zachary, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and his many friends, to whom heartfelt sympathy is tendered.

Harry Fagan will be laid to rest in Cloonfad Cemetery tomorrow (Wednesday) following Requiem Mass at midday in the local church.