BY MARK McKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
Hundreds attended the funeral mass of Greencastle accident victim Niall O'Hagan on Wednesday morning. An illustration of just how much he was loved in this close-knit community according to a tribute left on a special Bebo page created in his memory.
Niall, 19, died after his motorbike left the Killyclogher Road at Mountfield at around 7pm on Saturday evening. The local community was numbed in shock and deeply saddened by his passing, as they try to come to terms with the loss of a young man described as a "very popular character" in the local area.
Speaking after Niall's funeral, West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff, who is a close family friend of the O'Hagans, said the teenager's death had sent shockwaves throughout the parish of Greencastle.
Niall's untimely death is the latest devastating tragedy to grip the O'Hagan family. Fourteen years ago, Niall witnessed his pregnant mother's murder at the hands of UVF gunmen, who forced their way into the family bungalow at Brackagh South, Mountfield. Niall's father Patrick found the six-year-old along with his brothers Patrick, Damian, Raymond and Thomas huddled and sobbing around their mother's body.
In a further cruel twist, just three years later, young Thomas was also to lose his life in tragic circumstances. On August 17 1997, the four-year-old was playing in a shed when he set fire to a pile of straw, using a box of matches he had found. Within seconds the fire took hold and blocked the youngster's exit. Despite a frantic rescue attempt by the his father the youngster died the following day.
His grandfather, Michael O'Hagan died also as a result of road traffic collision on the Cookstown Road many years ago.
As Niall's father Patrick passed away from natural causes a few years ago, he is survived by his three brothers Patrick, Damian and Raymond and wider family circle.
Commenting about this tragic list of events endured by one family, Mr McElduff said, "It is terrible that tragedy has revisited the O'Hagan family yet again, and Niall's death has evoked great sadness right across Tyrone and indeed South Derry where his mother was originally from.
"I knew Niall personally and he would have turned 20 at the end of this month. He had a great passion for cars and motorbikes and was always a very spirited young person and very popular among the wide circle of friends he had.
"Obviously this death has added poignancy in that Kathleen was murdered at the family home in 1994, young Thomas died in a fire and then Niall's father Paddy passed away a few years back.
"I would like, on behalf of the wider community, to offer condolences to the family and let the remaining O'Hagan children, their aunts, uncles and wider family circle know that our thoughts and prayers are with this time at this sad time," Mr McElduff said.
Expressing condolences on behalf of the local Gaelic club, for which Niall was a previous player, a spokesperson said, "The committee members and players of St Patrick's GAC Greencastle deeply regret the death of Niall, former player and brother of current player Damian. We extend sincere sympathy to him and the entire family circle."
The board of governors, principal, staff and pupils of Dean Maguirc College, Carrickmore also paid tribute to their former pupil stating, "We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his brothers, grandfather, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends."
Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Claire McGill said, "The O'Hagan family has experienced so much tragedy down through the years that people just cannot come to terms with what has now happened. The community will once again rally round as best it can to support family members in the extremely difficult days ahead."
