Trainee mechanic who died in Carlow crash remembered at funeral as ‘one of a kind’

A small church perched upon a hill was where family and friends gathered to say their last goodbyes to Daryl Culbert, a “one of a kind” son, brother and grandson, mourners at his Church of Ireland funeral service in Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, heard.

Daryl (21), the only son of Trevor and Heather, died alongside his two friends Michael Kelly (25) and Katie Graham (19) in a car crash near Carlow last Wednesday.

Katie’s funeral took place earlier on Monday morning, while Michael’s will take place on Tuesday.

Daryl’s cortege was received by students from his former secondary school Kilkenny College. Members of Carlow Autograss, a local amateur car racing club, provided a guard of honour with their cross kart buggies.

Trainee mechanic who died in Carlow crash remembered at funeral as ‘one of a kind’

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Daryl’s oak coffin was adorned with a floral wreath of white and cream roses and lilies, his photograph, and other floral tributes.

Rev Máirt Hanley led 12 other clerics, along with Bishop Adrian Wilkinson, in the service.

In the eulogy Daryl’s father Trevor described his son as a “one of a kind” who was “not only my son but my best friend as well”.

He described his son as “a quiet spoken chap, with a cheeky grin, a loveable glint in his eye and you couldn’t but love him”.

“Daryl was our first born, big brother to Chloe and Amy. He grew up here in Kiltegan and went to the primary school just next door, then went on to board in Kilkenny College which he thoroughly enjoyed and made many wonderful friends.

“Daryl’s passion in life was cars. He was a trainee mechanic which he started in my garage from an early age. Daryl started his working life in an engineering shop in Tullow, he then went to Boland’s Volvo in Carlow and was very popular with everyone over there. He recently started phase two of his apprenticeship in Finglas training centre.

“Daryl’s knowledge as a first-year trainee was second to none. His knowledge and interest was all down to his love in cars. He was an accomplished autocross and cross kart driver. This was a passion we both shared and we developed an unbreakable bond. We would spend endless hours in the workshop preparing his car.”

His father told how Daryl won several racing events and was awarded All-Ireland special autocross champion and driver of the year on two occasions.

“Daryl then progressed on to cross kart driving where his results continued to be outstanding. We enjoyed all our days at many different events, the people we met and the friends Daryl and I made through this sport are the soundest bunch that you could ever come across,” he said.

He said the families of the other victims of the crash were in “our thoughts and prayers”.

Daryl’s cross kart buggy was at his graveside during his burial in the adjoining cemetery.

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