Hundreds attend funeral of Donegal teenager Georgia Doherty

Hand-written messages from hundreds of heartbroken family members and friends have been taken to the grave of Co Donegal crash victim Georgia Doherty.

The 13-year-old teenager from the Inishowen Peninsula, who was killed in a car crash in Derry last weekend, was buried following funeral mass at Drung on Thursday.

The white coffin, which was brought to the church from Georgia’s Redcastle home in a horse-drawn carriage, carried messages from family and friends.

Many of the mourners, including Georgia's dad George, wore Celtic and Liverpool jerseys in honour of the young Donegal girl's two favourite teams.

Inside the church, Fr Tony Maily paid tribute to the teenager. "I know this isn't Parkhead and I know this isn't Anfield, but I don't think God would mind if we had a round of applause for our own number 10," the priest told mourners.

The mass was recorded at the family’s request for Georgia’s sister Lisa (26) who was driving the car which was involved in the crash in Derry last Sunday afternoon. She remains in a serious but stable condition at Derry’s Altnagelvin Hospital. Prayers were also offered during the mass for the emergency services and hospital staff who treated both Lisa and Georgia.

The congregation included Georgia's mum Rosemarie, dad George, sister Caira and brother Connaire. Pupils from Moville Community College were also in attendance.

Many of Georgia's favourite pop songs including One Direction's Best Song Ever were played

As the coffin was taken form the church, the Celtic and Liverpool anthem You'll Never Walk Alone was played.

Many Moville Community College pupils recalled their fondest story of Georgia when her Redcastle FC Under 12s Girls team played Moville Celtic Under 12 Boys team. Redcastle won 6-0 and Georgia was the star of the game with a hatrick.

Tributes from the pupils read: “It was often said that you could hear Georgia coming before you saw her. This was due to her unique laugh, a thing that people will never forget and a thing that could light up any room.

“She was a bubbly and positive character who filled the corridors and classrooms in school with so much happiness and laughter. Never was there a dull moment when Georgia was present as she was recognised as the life and soul of her year. Within seconds of talking to her, she made people smile and laugh. She was well known for her ability to cheer people up when they were feeling sad, a reason why Georgia was recognised by so many as a great friend and a reason why she was loved dearly by all.

“This bubbly personality was not the only characteristic that Georgia held. Georgia was acknowledged by many people as a strong, reliable and loyal person who always offered her support. There were many occasions in Georgia’s life where she acted as the best friend any person could have wished for. She stood up for people when they needed support in difficult situations and she helped many overcome their fears. She always put the needs of others before her own. As a result of her strong and courageous character, Georgia helped many people become the characters that they are today. Georgia was a truly beautiful person, inside and out, and this is what many people will remember her for. She had a heart of gold and her kindness was admirable.

“Georgia was truly one of a kind. She was an extremely positive young girl who made a tremendous impact on the lives of everyone that she met.

“Georgia will continue to help us through difficult times with the memories that she created with each and every one of us. These memories will ensure that we will never walk alone at any stage in our lives.

“Through this difficult time we question why Georgia was taken from us, but when we consider the following lines, it may help comfort us a little: Someone once asked why God picks beautiful people to accompany him in Heaven. The response was a question, ‘If you were to select a flower from a garden, what flower would you select?’

“This was followed by the answer ‘The most beautiful one’. This is certainly the case with Georgia. Her family should be very proud of the beautiful and loving girl that Georgia grew up to be. She will be missed dearly by all but we can be sure that her smile is as big in Heaven as it was on Earth.

“God found the angel that he was searching for in Georgia. In our hearts, she will remain, loved and missed every day.

“Rest in peace Georgia. It was an absolute privilege to have known someone as caring, loyal and positive as you.”

School principle Eamonn Ryan said he simply could not add to the wonderful and fitting tributes paid to young Georgia by her schoolfriends.