Kyle McDermott: Heartbroken partner tells funeral of cherished memories

The heartbroken partner of Kyle McDermott, the young Burt man who died following an incident in Tyrone last week, has told how she will cherish their memories together.

Chloe McGonagle told Sunday’s funeral Mass at St Aengus’ Church in Burt how she and Kyle were “inseparable” since they fell in love after meeting in Liverpool.

The 24-year-old from Burt died at Altagelvin Hospital in Derry in the early hours of last Monday following an incident in the Tyrone village of Ballymagorry..

“No time in the world would ever have felt like enough together and no words could describe the love we had for each other,” Ms McGonagle said as she fought back the tears.

“You made me the happiest girl in the world, and I hope I made you just as happy.”

Kyle was, she recalled in an emotional eulogy, “a talented, caring, genuine, hardworking soul”.

“We had so many plans for our future together and had our whole lives ahead of us but your gentle soul was too precious for this world and all I can do now, is try to make you proud,” she said.

“Thank you for always looking after me, being there for me through thick and thin, being my biggest supporter and shown me what unconditional love feels like.

“I am beyond grateful that you came into my life and I had the honour of being loved by you.

“I will cherish the memories we made together forever.”

Fr Paddy Baker told mourners that Mr McDermott was a “man of many talents” and an artistic young man who was loved by many.

Fr Baker said the last week had been “a sad number of days” for the McDermott family and the entire Burt parish which he said was “devastated by the tragic loss”.

Mr McDermott, who lived with Chloe in Ballymagorry, worked in the construction industry as a digger driver, regularly sharing clips of his work in TikTok.

Fr Baker recalled how the deceased dreamed of owning his own business and planned to call it K Mc Construction.

“He was loved by everyone he met,” Fr Baker said. “He had the biggest smile.

“He had a very artistic side. He loved to draw and his talents showed through in his sketches. He was a man of many talents.

“He lit up every room he went into and had a heart of gold. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.”

The former Strabane parish priest, Fr Declan Boland, concelebrated at Sunday’s Mass.

Fr Baker described him as “an adoring family man” who had a “kind, gentle soul”

He said:  “He always believed that if you thought were the best you wouldn’t get any better.

“It is very hard for us to put into words losing someone so tragically.”

The packed congregation included his heartbroken partner Chloe McGonagle, his parents Stephen and Claire and siblings Stephanie, Arden and Sheehan.

Mr McDermott’s cousin Christopher spoke on behalf of the family who he said would be “forever indebted” to the emergency services who attended the scene last Sunday night.

“We, as a family, are heartbroken,” he said, thanking those who had shown there support to the family in the last week.

Mr McDermott was laid to rest in Burt cemetery following the Mass.

Last Wednesday, a 24-year-old man, Daniel Patrick Hanna, appeared before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court, charged with the manslaughter of Mr McDermott.

Hanna, of Victoria Road in Strabane, was remanded in custody to appear again before court in Strabane at the end of the month.

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In the days after Mr McDermott’s death, the PSNI issued a direct appeal to the occupants of a blue coloured car. Detectives believe that an occupant of the vehicle, which was parked on the Victoria Road, captured footage of the incident.

Detective Inspector Hazel Miller appealed to the driver and the passengers of the car to contact the PSNI on 101.