Funeral takes place in south Dublin of second man killed in N7 crash

The second of three men killed in a collision while in a car driving the wrong way down the N7 has been buried following a funeral in south Dublin.

Graham Taylor (31) of Kiltalown Park in Dublin 24 died instantly when the BMW he was travelling in collided with a truck and burst into flames.

The car's driver Karl Freeman (26) was also killed along with another passenger, Dean Maguire (29).

The truck driver was treated in hospital for serious but non-life threatening injuries.

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The men had links to a burglary gang in the area and gardaí believe they may have been planning a break-in at the time of their deaths.

Mr Taylor, a father of three, was buried following a service in St Aidan's Church, Jobstown. In a eulogy, a family member described him as a "legend" and a "kind-hearted, loyal and caring" young man.

The coffin was brought to the service in a horse-drawn carriage, which was escorted by motorcycles and scramblers.

A bagpiper led the procession of mourners, many of who wore T-shirts depicting Mr Taylor.

Flower arrangements describing Mr Taylor as a friend, uncle and partner and depicting a mobile phone and a cannabis leaf accompanied the coffin. A large number of white balloons were released by family and friends by the graveside at Bohernabreena Cemetery.

A 17-minute video of the funeral service, shot by O’Dwyer & Sons Funeral Directors, complete with drone footage, has been viewed 42,000 times on social media.

Mr Taylor had 121 previous convictions including dangerous driving, burglary, handling stolen property, criminal damage and assaulting a garda. In 2012 he received a 40-year driving ban.

He received a 2½ year term after leading gardaí on a chase during which he drove at 120km/h in a 50km/h zone. He drove on the wrong side of the road, in the wrong direction around roundabouts and into oncoming traffic during the June 2016 incident, forcing other motorists into evasive action.

On Friday, Mr Maguire, who was once described in court as a member of "a highly sophisticated, organised crime gang", was buried following a service in St Mary's Priory in Tallaght.

Mr Maguire’s funeral on Friday followed a removal on Thursday night, during which cars were videoed driving erratically behind the funeral hearse. Gardaí are investigating the incident.

Other footage showed the hearse speeding through areas of the city and breaking red lights.

On the day of his funeral, associates of Mr Maguire blocked traffic with their motorbikes as the cortege passed by.

Separate footage, believed to have been filmed on Wednesday, showed the hearse speeding through areas of the city and breaking red lights.

Among the offerings presented at Mr Maguire’s funeral were a torch, screwdriver and his registration plate. Video of his funeral, also captured by O’Dwyer & Sons, has been viewed 56,000 times.

The third dead man, Mr Freeman, is to be buried on Monday.