Daniel Cullen remembered as ‘caring, compassionate, considerate young man. Always the first to offer help. All you needed to say was that something needed to be done, and he did it. Sometimes you didn’t have to say anything at all'

The funeral cortège of Daniel Cullen made its way in silence to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown for the 18-year-old’s Requiem Mass.

On Sunday afternoon, in a biting wind, beneath an overcast sky, the sombre, devastated, tight-knit Shantallow community walked with Daniel’s grieving family and friends from his sister Bridie’s home, where his wake had taken place. 

Daniel was the beloved son of John Morrow and Sharon Cullen; the loving brother of Joe, John Paul (Twin), Bridie and Doniella; and the much loved grandson of Helen and the late Tony Cullen and Bobby and Linda Morrow. He was also a much loved nephew.

For the second time in two days, friends and neighbours came together to support a Derry family bearing the unspeakable burden of bereavement. 

Daniel and his friend Caoimhin Porter-McLoone, who was also 18, died in a road traffic accident in St Johnston, County Donegal on Tuesday night. Caoimhin’s funeral took place on Saturday in St Brigid’s Church, Carnhill. 

The boys were passengers in a car when a collision occurred between it and a lorry as they were returning home from a trip to Asda in Strabane via Lifford and St Johnston. 

The car driver (18), who sustained serious injuries in the accident, was transferred to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital. 

At the beginning of Daniel’s Requiem Mass, Reverend Declan McGeehan prayed “God’s healing grace” on the young man, who was prayed for again during the Prayers of the Faithful. 

Joined by Monsignor Joseph Donnelly, Priest in Residence at Our Lady of Lourdes, Fr McGeehan told mourners, whose heartbreaking grief could be heard in the church throughout the Requiem Mass, Daniel’s family and friends were “still in shock, numbed by the events of the past few days”. 

“For all of you, it is okay to be heartbroken. CS Lewis once said, ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’. Every tear you shed is testament to the love you had and continue to have for Daniel, so never be ashamed to cry,” he added. “From the moment he was born, Daniel was loved”.

Daniel was a son “who never brought any bother” to his parents’ door, said Fr McGeehan. 

“Daniel was a “caring, compassionate, considerate young man,” he added. “He was always the first to offer help. All you needed to say was that something needed to be done, and he did it. Sometimes you didn’t have to say anything at all. 

“He was there for you [his family] when you needed him most. He was a rock for you at times, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and often he had a wisdom beyond his years. 

“He was the same for his grandparents too. All you needed to do was hint at something needing done and he’d be the first to get his hands dirty and muck in, clearing the garden, running messages, whatever it was, he was on it and you didn’t have to ask him twice. He was dependable, reliable and consistently there for you and for his friends too. 

“For Daniel was a big-hearted, compassionate young man who had that special ability to recognise when someone needed a bit of help and, more importantly, he was never slow to respond to that need and to offer whatever support he could. 

“As a son, a grandson, a friend, he was fiercely loyal and he would be there at the drop of a hat for any of you,” said Fr McGeehan, who referred to Daniel’s great love of style. “He always made sure he was dressed to perfection.”

Recalling Daniel’s Baptism in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, on October 13, 2007, Fr McGeehan said: “On that day, the love of God was poured into him. God promised that if Daniel remained in that love, he would not die but live forever.

“Today we gather beside this font again to recall that promise and to commend Daniel, a loving, caring, funny, compassionate young man you all knew and loved, to the Lord. We entrust him to God’s mercy.

“LIke the Apostles [In the Gospel] we don’t understand why this happened. We do not pretend to have the answers. All we can do is continue to trust. Trust in the love that you have for Daniel, the love that continues to light him to you and you to him even now. And most of all trust in God, trust in his love,” said Fr McGeehan.

Among the mourners at Daniel’s funeral were members of Steelstown Primary School and Nursery Unit and St Brigid’s College / Coláiste Bhríde school communities. Daniel had been a pupil at both schools. 

In a poignant online tribute to Daniel Steelstown PS, which neighbours Our Lady of Lourdes Church, said: “We are holding Daniel’s  mum, Sharon, his dad John, his brothers Joe and John Paul, his sisters Bridie and Doniella, and the wider Cullen and Morrow families in our thoughts at this very difficult time.

“Daniel will always remain part of the Steelstown family.”

St Brigid’s College described Daniel and Caoimhin as “much-loved members of our school family, young men who brought warmth, laughter, and joy to everyone they encountered”. 

As Daniel’s Requiem Mass concluded, Fr McGeehan thanked the members of the emergency services present in the Church, those who had dealt with everyone involved in the tragic accident.

Speaking directly to Daniel’s many friends, Fr McGeehan said this might be their first experience of losing “one of their own at such a young age”.

“It is never an easy thing to experience and, just to let you know, you are not suffering this alone,” he added. “You have each other but also there are many people out there who will be more than willing to help you and to listen to you.

“So, if you do need help. If you do need someone to turn to in the next days, weeks, months ahead, please do reach out. 

“Know that I am here as well in the Parish and I am always available to any of you if you ever want someone to talk to, if you ever want to come and just express your grief, know that there are people out there who want to help you as well through this," he said.

Commending the staff of Shantallow Community Centre, the counsellors who had been present during this week, and the people of Shantallow, Fr McGeehan said: “In the past few days, it has been wonderful the Parish here coming together. The people of Shantallow have been fantastic, coming together, being united. And that will be your strength as well in the coming days.

“We pray God’s Blessing on all of you now and we ask God to bring Daniel to himself and to comfort you, his family and friends.”

Daniel's remains were then taken to Derry city cemetery for interment.