Pogues honour crash victimThe Ulster Herald
Published: Thu, Jan 14, 2010
By Alan RodgersFull URLPOPULAR Irish band 'The Pogues' have paid a special tribute to one of the two teenagers whose tragic deaths last week shocked the Killyclogher and wider West Tyrone community.
A specially prepared letter was read out at the Requiem Mass for 18-year-old, Paul McGrath, at the local St Mary's Church on Sunday. Hundreds of people attended his funeral and that of Anthony McKenna (16) who will be cremated today (Thursday) before interment close to his friend in the cemetery adjoining the church.
In the tribute, which was prompted by contact from friends of the two, the band, which is fronted by Shane McGowan, describes Paul as someone who seemed like a 'fun-loving teenager.'
The band went on to describe how they had checked out Paul McGrath's profile on a social-networking site, and mentioned how he had been fond of their music.
Students from the Sacred Heart College and members of the local St Mary's GAA club formed a guard of honour at the funerals on Sunday and Monday.
In his homily at the Requiem Mass for Anthony McKenna, Parish Priest, Fr Eugene Boland, described him as being someone who enjoyed life to the full.
He spoke of Anthony's love for his mother, adding how he was a talented gaelic footballer who had a great desire to work as a barber.
"His many different hairstyles showed that Anthony was a trend-setter and not a trend-follower," Fr Boland said.
The two died after the car in which they were travelling collided with a tractor on the main Cookstown to Omagh road on Thursday afternoon last, January 7.
A third young man, Tommy Nugent, was seriously injured in the crash and has been prayed for at Masses in the parish during the past week.
Fr Boland said it was wrong to describe the death as being 'God's will.'
"This was a tragic accident which has proved so devastating."
