Hi °C | Lo °C Former Eurovision winner Dana sang an emotional tribute at the funeral of a young man who died in a weekend road tragedy.
The All Ireland Talent Show judge met Darren Downey (19) when he cheekily lampooned one of her songs during an appearance on the RTE show.
Darren and his friend Gary McLoughlin (21), both from Burt, Co Donegal, lost their lives in a single vehicle crash in the early hours of Sunday.
Gardai have appealed for witnesses to the accident that occurred some time between 6am and 7.30am on the N13 Letterkenny to Derry Road.
Dana travelled to yesterday’s Requiem Mass at St Aengus Church in Burt, where she sang her own version of the song in tribute to the fun-loving pals.
Local curate Fr Michael Porter reminded the congregation of Darren Downey’s much-talked-about appearance on the All Ireland Talent Show, where he performed a ‘rap version’ of ‘Lady Of Knock’ especially for Dana, who penned the original song.
He told mourners the two families had asked him to convey a message to their sons’ friends and all young people in the congregation.
“They want me to say not to do what their sons did and not to bring home to your parents and families the pain and grief they are suffering now,” said Fr Porter.
After the service the friends were laid to rest side-by-side in adjoining graves at the local Burt Cemetery.
