Mourners at the funeral of tragic Co Tyrone teen Matthew McCallan heard of a ‘happy, young boy’ who enjoyed the outdoor life, as the 15-year-old was laid to rest on Sunday.
Matthew’s body was found on Monday after hundreds joined community search efforts last weekend when he was reported missing after attending a country music night in Fintona.
Hundreds of mourners packed into St Malachy’s Church in Edendork, with many of those attending wearing jeans, hoodies and checked shirts at the request of Matthew’s family.
READ MORE: Matthew McCallan death: Senior PSNI officer says lessons will be learned
A number of items were brought up to the alter at the beginning of the funeral mass to remember Matthew’s life, including a pair of work boots and a cowboy hat.
At the funeral, Dungannon parish priest Dean Kevin Donaghy described Matthew as loving everything ‘hands on’, including on the farm and the football field.
“Over the years of his young life, there was a lot of time to build up his talent and skills, and everything was hands on,” Dean Donaghy said.
“All things technological, mechanical, agricultural and practical held a fascination for Matthew and he was clearly heading for more of the same.
“Matthew liked plenty of time in the outdoor life, whether on the sports field or farming field. He had just recently taken out his treasure trove of little tractors that had been placed away safely in storage, and put them back on display in his ever so well kept bedroom.
“Most of all, Matthew knew a great amount of time to love and to be loved, most especially across all the generations of his family.
“The times with Matthew were good times. In recent days, Matthew’s family, his parents and close family have been greatly comforted by the good memories shared with them by Matthew’s classmates and teammates, teachers and friends.”
The funeral heard of how Matthew had recently put together a list of goals for the near future, including passing his GCSEs, saving money and buying a car.
“Lovely ambitions for any 15-year-old to have, really admirable in every way," Dean Donaghy continued.
“There was more to life than school for Matthew, he loved tractors and lorries and all to do with machinery and mechanics.
“He loved to get the boots on, he loved to be about the horses and he loved his football.
“The large display of photos on the kitchen table at home tells of a very happy young boy, living and growing through a lot of interesting activities and lively experiences.”
A touching tribute from Matthew to his parents was displayed on the altar of the church during the mass.
It said: “Mum and dad, I’d like to tell you that you mean the world to me. Your loving hearts and the way you care make me feel as special as can be.
“You encourage and support me in all I want to do, together you are the guiding light that shines my whole life through.”
Earlier this week senior PSNI officers said ‘lessons will be learned’ after concerns had been raised about its initial response to the missing person investigation.
Matthew went missing in the early hours of Sunday morning after attending the Jamboree event in Fintona.
He was found dead on Monday in the Tattyreagh Road area, around two miles from where the event had been taking place on Saturday night.
His death will now be the subject of an inquest from the coroner’s office, and the case has been referred to the Police Ombudsman.
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