Day of tears as second Spain crash victim laid to rest and surviving brother walks behind coffin

Mourners at the funeral of Mark McCullagh-Crichton, one of three people who died in a horror car crash in Malaga, Spain, heard how he "lived with passion, humour and a good heart."

Mark, his girlfriend Michaela Newcombe and his sister-in-law Amy McCullagh, who were all from Mullingar in Co Westmeath, died when their car plunged 100 feet into a ravine off the A7 motorway in Malaga in the early hours of Sunday morning, June 28.

Marks brother Ian McCullagh, who was married to Amy, was seriously injured but survived the horror crash. Heartbroken Ian attended the funeral on crutches and was comforted by family and friends.

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Chief mourners at Marks funeral in the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar on Thursday afternoon included his heartbroken parents Paula and Albert, his brothers Ian, Enda, Kevin, John and Bertie, his sisters Chloe and Jennifer (Jenny), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandniece, grandnephew, extended family, his many friends.

Marks girlfriend Michaela Newcombes funeral Mass took place earlier on Thursday morning in the same cathedral.

Welcoming mourners to Marks funeral, the priest said: I welcome welcome Marks parents Paula and Albert, his brothers Ian, Enda, Kevin, John and Bertie, his sisters Chloe and Jenny, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family and all of his friends.

Symbols representing Marks life presented to the altar included his Arsenal jersey, his golf clubs and golf ball, a dog lead used by Marks faithful dog Nova, his sunglasses and his watch.

Today, we gather in sadness and shock and in deep gratitude the gift Mark was and continues to be for each of us, the priest said. We thank the Lord for the memories of Mark that we have been blessed with.

As we pray at this Mass, we also remember Marks girlfriend Michaela and his sister-in-law Amy, his grandparents Maureen and Kevin McCullagh and Albert and Kathleen Crichton and other deceased members of the McCullagh and Crichton family.

Today we gather with hearts that are heavy, broken and full, the priest said. Heavy because the loss of Mark is so deep. Broken because the manner of his death has shaken his family, the town and further afield. When something as tragic as the death of Mark, Michaela and Amy happens

Mark lived with passion, humour and a good heart. The stories come quickly because Mark was unforgettable. We remember the little boy who when he didnt want to eat his dinner he waited until his mam and dad were not looking and shoved his pockets full of gravy and potatoes and marched out into the field to dump them.

He thought he was a genius until his trousers went into the wash and the pockets were full of hardened potatoes.

We remember the magic in Greenpark Meadows, Mark knocking on doors, tricking people into giving him a euro and then buying penny sweets, hiding them under the pillow and coming home to find Chloe and Paula eating them because the bag had ripped on the stairs.

We remember his love of travelling, first up, best dressed. Even his dogs were part of the adventure.

We remember Cosgroves, Mark climbing into the Famine Wheel and Mark getting stuck and coming out with his first tattoo which was really the imprint of the wheel across his belly. These stories matter. They are not distractions from grief. They are part of our grieving process.

They remind us that Marks life was full, rich and deeply connected to the people around him. Marks journey did not end in Spain. It continues now in the mercy of God, in the arms of Christ who weeps with us and promises us life beyond death.

Mark had a great love for his family, but also his girlfriend Michaela, who was the love of his life.

Although it was short-lived, they lived it to the full. You only have to look at Snapchat, every story was about Michaela, dedicated to the most beautiful girl in Mullingar. That was Mark, the priest said.

Marks sister Jenny read a Communion reflection poem called Im still near.

On behalf of Marks family the priest thanked all the emergency services in Spain, all that attended and supported at the scene on the morning of June 28.

To the hospital staff in Spain, especially those in the ICU that helped Ian during his time of need, the priest said.

They wish to extend their deepest sympathy to Marks girlfriend Michaela and sister-in-law Amys family during this hard time and may they find the strength to navigate through this unimaginable time and the weeks that follow.

They would like to thank the funeral directors in Spain for their tender loving care of Mark.

They wish to acknowledge Gilsenan Funeral directors for all their support for bringing Mark to his final resting place and to all who travelled near and far to be with them during this time of sorrow and to the wider community for their support over the last 10 days, especially Marks close friends, who have been a pillar of support to the family since receiving the sad news on June 28.

Finally, the family wish to extend their immense gratitude to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust for the support they provided in bringing Mark home.

Following the funeral Mass, burial took place afterwards in Ballyglass Cemetery.

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