Heartbreaking scenes unfolded at the hugely emotional funeral for Waterford rally driver Craig Breen on Tuesday.
His heartbroken sister Kellie said it was “mission accomplished” in his goal to “make people proud” while rally sponsor James Coleman said he was the “people’s champion”.
Craig tragically died at only 33 years of age last Thursday, April 13, during a pre-test rally event in Croatia.
READ MORE: Family of Irish rally driver Craig Breen who died in testing crash aged 33 pay poignant tribute
His devastated parents Jackie and Ray, who called him their “treasured son”, led mourners with Kellie into the packed Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank, for his funeral Mass, with many more mourners outside.
His coffin was carried in, draped in the Tricolour, to the sound of pop band Coldplay’s hit song Yellow, while Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars played later.
On the coffin was placed a picture of Craig as a boy in a go-cart, while gifts and symbols from his life were taken to the altar, including his helmet, a trophy, Barry’s Tea teabags, and his rally gloves.
Parish priest Fr Kieran O’Shea said: “Teabags were the fuel that Craig and cars ran on” and later added: “Craig lived his dream.”
He said: “We gather with immense sadness and grief. How do you find the words for all of this? It’s nearly impossible.
“It is an unbelievably sad day. In people’s imaginations, no-one could ever have imagined that this could be real."
Craig’s sister Kellie paid tribute at the start of the Mass to her and said: “I want to say a few words about my little brother, the guy behind the helmet.
“Craig left behind a truckload of fond memories and hilarious stories.
“Whenever you were lucky enough to catch him, you were literally given a night of laughs, mockery, and slagging over copious cups of tea.
“He was a rogue for always leaving a little job after him. And this one is by far the hardest.
“Craig was a cute child. Placid, easy-going, and all he wanted day-in, day-out, was to play with something on wheels.
“It seemed the world wanted him to do what he loved best.”
She added: “He was always a bit different and unpredictable, you never got a boring answer from our Craig.
“He was happiest whenever he was tearing around in whatever gave him the fastest speed.
“He spent years peddling a go-cart around our house and then up and down the driveway and eventually up and down the road with my poor dad looking out for cars.”
Kellie continued: “He liked to push things to the limits, seeing what he could make them do and what he could get out of them.
“He was only five minutes out in his new quad when our mother got a call to say, ‘Jackie, you better come back down; the quad is on its roof’.
“He was ridiculously generous and poured a lot of what he got back into the sport.
“Our family really did share Craig with the world, but on the occasions when he did make it home, he loved nothing more than a Domino’s and Gogglebox.
“His career guidance teacher said the same thing every year, ‘I don’t know what planet he lives on, but he thinks he’s going to drive cars for a living. You’ll have to have another word’.
“The past few days have given us an insight into a whole other world that Craig discovered when he finally got a place where he belonged with his motorsport family.
“It was then that he felt at home, no matter where he was.
“Craig would do anything to avoid making people upset. He would shy away from anything that would make anyone feel bad.
“It seems so cruel now whenever his friends and family are living through such hurt. He would hate to see tears shed on his behalf.
“Craig was lucky enough to have a million stories. He will live on through his legacy, so please keep his spirit alive for all of us.
“His school year send-off quote was that he wanted to make people proud. Craig, I can safely say, mission accomplished.”
Emotional tributes from friends and more family were also paid.
His close rally driver pal Mike Chen described Craig as a “superstar” who believed “family and friends meant the most” and said “he can never be replaced”, while rally sponsor James Coleman spoke on the altar said Craig was the “people’s champion”.
Craig’s remains were brought back from Croatia to Ireland at the weekend.
His co-driver James Fulton, from Cavan, survived the accident.
Craig, from the Slieverue on the Kilkenny/Waterford border, followed dad Ray, a former Irish champion, into the sport.
He began his racing career in karting before moving into full-time rallying in 2009.
Tributes have been made since his death for the man who was hailed as Ireland’s top rally driver.
Members of the public expressed their sorrow by signing online books of condolence that were opened by Motorsport Ireland and councils in Waterford City and County.
Craig had rejoined Hyundai for the new World Rally Championship (WRC) season after spending a year with the M-Sport Ford World Rally team.
In his first WRC start of the season, he finished second at Rally Sweden in February.
His burial took place in the cemetery adjoining the Sacred Heart in Ferrybank.
READ NEXT:
- Mary Lou McDonald blasts "false and deeply offensive" Regency comments: 'I have never met Gerard Hutch'
- Ireland to record hottest day of the year so far this week amid glorious Met Eireann forecast
- Wild scenes at Crucible as protesters storm snooker tables during World Championships
- House next to where Sophie Toscan Du Plantier was murdered for sale for second time in two years
- Listeners in tears over Christy Dignam's 'heartbreaking' interview with Ryan Tubridy
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
