Poignant tributes paid at the funeral of accident victim Paul McGuigan

“It is a hard burden for a family to bear,” he told mourners at the outset of his homily at Paul’s Funeral Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Crebilly.

The 32-year-old father-of-one, died after being hit by a car in Ballymena on the morning of Sunday, September 16.

Addressing the packed gathering in St Patrick’s, Fr Delargy explored the Christian conviction “that there is hope beyond death, even after a sudden, tragic, unexpected departure”.

“You could say Paul was prepared because of his association with this Church community. This community has Christian hope,” he said.

“At a time of tragedy our default position is to gather to pray together for a deceased brother because the ties of affection are not broken by death.

“This is the time to rely confidently on the prayers of the church and on the promises of Jesus.”

Fr Delargy said Paul was a young man with “a good curriculum vitae”.

“Paul’s passport portrait to the next world will be made up like a jigsaw with little bits containing recollections of happy days, hobbies, family life, working together with friends and colleagues, travel and sport,” he said.

The son of Fred and Joan McGuigan, Paul attended All Saints’ Primary School, St Patrick’s College, the North East Institute in Coleraine and Queen’s University.

He enjoyed sports from a young age – playing rugby at mini rugby level, swimming competitively for Ballymena Swimming Club and playing basketball for St Patricks, Team Grouse and Ulster. He also enjoyed coaching swimming and basketball.

The packed congregation heard that music was another great love of Paul’s. He was involved in gigs and festivals in England and elsewhere and he was resident DJ in the Grouse for a period of time.

He developed a love of hip hop and rap music in America where he worked for three summers on a voluntary basis in the St Vincent de Paul camp for deprived children in Detroit, Michigan.

Paul was also a proud and loving father.

“In December 2008 his daughter Aoife was born,” said Fr Delargy.

“She was his absolute pride and joy. He was so proud of her and she brought so much happiness to his life.”

“...What would Paul want to say to you today?

“Rely on the goodness and mercy of God. Rely on the community of faith that Jesus left behind and take time to make whatever adjustments you need to make in your own life. Then you will be ready to meet your Saviour whenever you are called. To do that would be a fine testament in his memory.”