Glenties shares grief of Mayo community as Stephen Brennan is laid to rest

Mourners from Glenties joined family and friends of 25-year-old Stephen Brennan in Bohola, Mayo, as the young road traffic collision victim was laid to rest. 

Stephen, whose mother Rita (née O’Donnell) is from Glenties, died along with Martin Murphy, 27, from Knock when they were involved in a collision with an articulated truck. The collision occurred on the N60 between Balla and Claremorris shortly before midnight on Wednesday last.

Celebrant Fr Stephen O’Mahony was joined for Monday's Funeral Mass by Fr Gerard Cunningham from Glenties, Fr Dermot Meehan from Swinford, and Fr Derek Costello from Foxford.

He spoke of how futile words seemed at a time of such huge pain and loss, but, he said, words and support are all we have to offer, and I hope they offer some comfort.

He recalled Stephen as a young man who had brought a lot of love and light to his family and friends during his quarter century of life.

Born in London in August 1997, Stephen and his parents Rita and Declan moved back to Ireland when he was four. He attended the local national school before moving on to St Louis Secondary School in Kiltimagh. Fr O’Mahony was chaplain to the school at that time, and he knew young Stephen as a well-mannered and pleasant young man.

The priest spoke of Stephen’s love of sport, not only of GAA but table tennis, soccer and basketball.

“He even fielded for Glenties at some stage,” said Fr O’Mahony. 

“I’m not sure how legal that was but the controversy wouldn’t be as great as the recent All Ireland Club Football final!”

The priest offered the condolences of the community to Rita and Declan on the tragic and sudden loss of their only child, their beloved son.

Rita’s brother Michael O’Donnell delivered a eulogy on behalf of Stephen’s grieving parents. 

“Our beautiful and only child Stephen; he was born in London on August 8, 1997. Obviously he was the love of our lives. 

“When he reached the age of four in 2001, we decided to move back home to Ireland. Stephen loved it and settled very happily there, farming with his dad and his mum giving him treats.”

Michael recalled Stephen’s time at the local school, and his excellent teachers who had been part of his life.

He reminded mourners about Stephen’s early entrepreneurial ventures.

“He set up his first business at the age of eight, collecting the neighbours recycling, and he named it Brennan Recycling,” said Michael.

“His dad made a trailer and he attached it to his bicycle and he enjoyed that until he felt that it wasn’t enough to buy the sports jerseys that he wanted because he was always taught that he had to pay half of what he wanted.

He then decided to rear hens. He bought eight and made a deal with the butcher to sell his free range eggs to him.”

Mourners also heard how Stephen won many accolades with Bohola school, Bohola Moy Davitts and that he played soccer for Ballyvary Blue Bombers and Knock United. 

“He also played for Naomh Conaill when up there on holiday,” said Michael.

“Fr Stephen questioned the legality of that a while ago - I would say it was more of the fact that he had Mayo connections!”

After leaving school, Stephen worked in London but moved home after 14 months and began work as a steel erector.

“His last job on the Banshees of Inisheerin,” said Michael.

Unfortunately an accident meant that the young man had to stop manual work. 

Stephen’s untimely death has devastated his family, but Michael spoke of how they would hold dear his beautiful smile.

On behalf of Rita and Declan, he said: “Stephen, you were our only child and we adored you. We will miss you forever. This unbelievable loss of our darling child will stay with us for the rest of our lives.”

Following Funeral Mass, Stephen was laid to rest in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Bohola.