The late Sinead Lennon (16).

'A tragedy beyond description'

“I will be urging young people to remember that their lives are precious beyond measure - that love and life are stronger than death.”
So said Fr Gerry Comiskey, parish priest in Drumlane, ahead of this morning’s funeral mass of a 16-year-old girl from Belturbet who died awaiting a liver transplant.
The community in Milltown is devastated following the passing of popular Sinéad Lennon at St Vincent’s University Hospital on Saturday, April 9. She was the daughter of Mary and Peadar Lennon from the townland of Drumbarlum.

The funeral mass is starting around now in Staghall. “We all stand speechless as we try to get ready for this funeral mass and final farewell to a beautiful young girl whose life was full of potential,” said Fr Comiskey.

The priest told the Celt yesterday (Tuesday) that he and the Lennon/Cassidy family are of the view that Sinead’s death was “as a result of accidental misadventure” and “was not intentional”.
“Young people do not understand how vulnerable and fragile we as human beings are,” added Fr Comiskey who described Sinead’s death as “a tragedy beyond description”.

'An incredible scene’
Her remains were returned to her home at around 10pm on Monday night with “scenes of terrible grief as her coffin came through the town and moved slowly across Kilconny Bridge”.
The road to Sinead’s house was lined with young people holding candles and lanterns, “an incredible scene” said Fr Comiskey, noting the contrast between the light and the “incredible darkness in the townland and the hearts of all gathered”.
Students and staff from St Bricin’s College, where Sinead was studying for her Leaving Cert, will attend the funeral mass this morning to pay their respects to their friend, and also to support her siblings - Peter and Ashléen - who are also students at the school.
As news of Sinead’s death filtered through on Saturday, tributes poured in on her Facebook page from her many friends. The board of management at St Bricin’s College had a team of psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) in place at the school on Monday to support heartbroken students and teachers.

'Bubbly and charismatic’
Principal Mary Sheridan extended her sympathy to the family, schools friends and the wider Belturbet community.
“Sinead was a valued member of the Leaving Certificate Class of 2017. She had a very positive outlook on life and contributed greatly to the school with her sporting and musical achievements. We remember her fondly as a bubbly and charismatic student who was popular among her peers and had the potential to become an inspirational leader of the future.
“She had already discussed and planned her career in nursing and was working towards this, before the Easter break,” said Ms Sheridan.
The principal also described Sinead as a “talented musician” who had been involved in many productions and shows organised by St Bricin’s. “Her unique passion and perseverance allowed her develop such talents in music and sport, it did not fall down from heaven, but was fostered by extremely loving parents and a supportive family network,” said Ms Sheridan.

'A phenomenal athlete’
Michael Lyng, Sinead’s PE teacher also paid tribute to his former student. “Sinead was an outstanding example for girls and drove football in the school, she represented us in rugby, gaelic and soccer. She was a phenomenal athlete and successfully captained the Ladies U16 Gaelic squad who recently qualified to play in the All-County Schools Final – a remarkable achievement for a smaller school,” he said.
The CEO of the Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB), the patrons of St Bricin’s, Martin O’Brien, also expressed his sympathy with the Lennon family on this “terrible tragedy” and appealed for privacy for the family at this difficult time.

Funeral
Sinead’s remains were removed from her residence at 10.30am this morning (Wednesday) to arrive at St Mary’s Church, Staghall, for 11am funeral mass with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.