There was an outpouring of grief at today’s funeral of tragic Derry teenager Andrew Quigley who lost his life to a drug and alcohol addiction.
Colette Quigley ahead of Andrew’s remains as they make their way to the City Cemetery.
The 19-year-old’s body was recovered from the River Foyle on Monday last, just over four weeks after several of his personal times were found on Foyle Bridge on 18 January last. He was last seen several hours earlier that day leaving a friend’s birthday party.
It emerged he had been fighting a drug and alcohol addiction and had sought help only to be told it would only become available unless he quit his habits.
There were emotional scenes during Requiem Mass in St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh, as over 1,000 mourners heard celebrant, Fr Ciaran McGavigan, tell how Andrew’s life of “generosity and kindness” had fallen under the “shadow” of his addictions, a “shadow he could not handle.”
Fr McGavigan said: “At 19, for Andrew the world was at his feet, a young life full of promise.
“Over the past few days, as we made our way to the back of the bungalow to pay our respects, our eyes were drawn to the photos of many happy memories, memories of times shared with friends and family, the hopes and aspirations that should have been.
“Andrew, the big gentle giant, with his distinctive voice, his big laugh and his kind ways, was so much loved and cared for; a young man who instinctively cared for and helped others around him; a young man who would not hurt anyone else; a young man of faith, having served at this altar as a boy, with an enduring devotion to Padre Pio.
The funeral cortege making its way to St Joseph’s Church.
“A love of family, football and friends, Andrew’s relationships were marked with generosity and kindness.
“But over this life of light and love came a shadow, a shadow that became exaggerated and unbearable – under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
“It was a shadow Andrew could not handle; a shadow under which, whilst not wanting to hurt others, didn’t allow him to see that he was hurting himself.
“Perhaps Andrew’s naivety about life, thinking himself stronger than he was, thinking that drugs would make things better and make himself invincible, fuelled the downward spiral that he couldn’t turn around.
“We know there is not one person in this church here this morning who would not have done everything in their power to help Andrew – there is no one to blame, there is no guilt to bear. For all of us here, especially young people, there are difficult lessons to be learned in the use of drugs.
“And yet out of all this sadness and grief we experience here today, and the bad experience of the past week, the Quigley family have already experienced the power of God working, the power of God to bring good out of a situation that is so bleak and so dark, the goodness and kindness and the generosity of hundreds of people, especially Foyle Search and Rescue who searched for his body over the past month.
“The bonds of community, the bonds of friendship and affection are all made stronger through this dreadful experience.”
Andrew’s coffin being carried to St Joseph’s Church.
Fr McGavigan concluded: “At his funeral Mass we pray that, for Andrew, life has changed and not ended.”
Earlier, a number of Andrew’s friends formed a guard of honour as his coffin was taken from his home in Knockalla Park to be carried behind a horse-drawn carriage to the nearby church.
A number of those present work Arsenal football jerseys, in recognition of the team Andrew supported.
Throughout the service Andrew’s coffin was covered in a white pall and there were heart-wrenching scenes when his uncle, Dermot, became overcome with grief during the reading of “a reflection,” which was completed by Andrew’s mother, Colette.
Many mourners wept openly as Andrew’s remains were taken from the church to “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables.”
“Bring him joy, bring him peace, give him rest, he’s only a boy.”
Andrew was laid to rest immediately afterwards in the City Cemetery where those present sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Tags:
