‘Dylan travelled the length and breadth of Ireland doing what he loved most’
DYLAN Commins’ sister told how her sibling had “big plans” before his life was tragically cut short along with his four friends in a crash in Co Louth last week.
The coffin of the 23-year-old arrived at the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Ardee along with a bright red car on the back of a recovery truck for his mass this afternoon.
Irish President Catherine Connolly arrived at the church ahead of the funeral after attending the funeral for one of the other victims – Alan McCluskey – in Co Meath this morning.
Five youngsters, all under 25, lost their lives in the head-on horror tragedy last Saturday, with the other casualties being Shay Duffy, 21, and Chloe McGee, 23, who were both from Carrickmacross, and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Scotland.
Cars in the town bore ‘DYLAN’ number plates, in a sweet tribute to Dylan from his pals, and there was a solemn tone as his family arrived at the church arm-in-arm.
In a heartbreaking tribute during the service, Dylan’s sister Lauren told how he “left an imprint on everyone he met”, adding that he lived quickly, loved deeply and laughed loudly.
She said: “For dad, there will be no one left to shout at in the workshop. For mam, her golden boy, her world has changed and nothing can fill that space.
“I have lost the big brother who made me his personal secretary. Jessica will carry the passion for cars he sparked in her, keeping the Commins’ name alive in Donegal, just like he would have wanted.
“Sarah, she’ll need a new part-time valeting job because every car Dylan sold, she was the one who cleaned it. And his heartbroken granny, Sheila, will miss him dearly.”
Lauren said her brother’s life “began to flourish” after he finished school, telling how he “wanted to be his own boss” like his dad.
She said: “This was also when the great love of his life, cars, took over completely. Some might even say that his love of cars came before his love of girls.
“From the age of 14, the Donegal Rally became a yearly pilgrimage, one that never lost its magic for him. He was the real king of the cone and everyone who knew him knew that.
“Then came one of his bravest decisions, heading off to Australia. Mam’s heart broke watching him go, but they all knew he’d find his way back each June.
“In Australia, he worked hard in the mines, made lifelong friendships and grew even more confident in the man he was becoming. After 10 months, he came home for his mam’s 50th birthday and true to form, he never went back.
“Instead, something even better was waiting for him here. This was when Coole Automotive, his transport and recovery business, began.
Today, we don’t just mourn the life we lost, we honour the life he lived. Rest easy Dylan, the showman.”
Lauren Commins
“Dylan travelled the length and breadth of Ireland doing what he loved most. He could sell anything to anyone. He was the only man in Ireland who could sell a rough IS200 and convince you it was the best buy you’d ever made.
“He had big plans, bigger than most people his age. He talked about becoming a millionaire and if life had given him the time, he absolutely would have made it happen.
“But on 15 November, those dreams were cut heartbreakingly short alongside the lives of his friends and nothing will ever be the same again.”
‘REST EASY DYLAN, THE SHOWMAN’
Lauren said that, although Dylan’s life was far too short, it was “packed” with adventure, bravery, joy and with “the love of family and friends who adored him”.
She said: “Today, we don’t just mourn the life we lost, we honour the life he lived. Rest easy Dylan, the showman.
“Your journey was wild, bright and unforgettable and your story will live on in all of us.”
Symbols of Dylan’s life were presented to the altar before the funeral mass, with a picture of Dylan’s lorry, his boots and an automotive t-shirt representing the “thriving business Dylan had built”.
A picture of Dylan’s family revealed “the memories that will continue to hold us together” while a scrambling trophy showed Dyla’’s love for MilvertonMotocrosss Club.
A Winnie the Pooh teddy and an advent calendar represented the young man’s “softer side” and a customised number plate demonstrated the “strong friendships” Dylan had built during his life.
