Parents of A5 victim Jamie Moore pay tribute to ‘superstar that lit up a room’

Family and friends of Jamie Moore gathered on Saturday afternoon to pay their final respects at his funeral.

Mr Moore (19) and his girlfriend Kamile Vaicikonyte died in Tuesday night’s crash.

Earlier, a funeral service for Kamile (17) took place in Aughnacloy.

Mr Moore was from Festival Park in Omagh.

His funeral at Mountjoy Presbyterian Church was led by Rev Jonathan Cowan.

In a tribute, Mr Moore’s parents, Karen and Jonathan, said he was a young man who “brought so much joy”.

Mr Moore attended Campsie Primary School and Omagh High School, mourners heard.

His mother said that “even though Jamie was such a joker and couldn’t sit for very long, he was held in great affection by his teachers.”

Later, he continued his education at Omagh College where he did a course in barbering, excelling and winning a barbering competition.

Mr Moore began his working career in McDonald’s in Omagh, before moving to work as a security guard at the local Asda store, where staff remembered a great worker and good colleague. He was looking forward to becoming a personal trainer in the future.

A keen athlete, he excelled as a footballer, starting his career with Beragh Swifts before moving to play with Ballinamallard, Ardstraw and Dergview.

His family recalled how, on one occasion while playing for Beragh Swifts, he scored the goal of the season with an effort from the halfway line.

His parents said: “Jamie was a superstar that lit up a room. He had only a short time on earth but he achieved so much in his 19 years.

“Jamie brought so much joy to our family, his friends, and work colleagues.

“As a family, we would like to send our condolences to Kamile’s family, and pray that they too will know God’s comfort and strength for the days ahead.”

Tuesday night’s accident took place on the Doogary Road near Omagh.

It is part of the A5 - one of the most dangerous roads in Northern Ireland. More than 50 people have died on it since plans to redevelop it were announced in 2007.

Earlier, at the funeral of Ms Vaicikonyte, mourners heard how the couple spoke of their love for each other in their last text messages.

Her uncle told mourners: “The last messages between Jamie and Kamile that were found on her phone were Jamie saying ‘Kamile, I only want to be in your hands’ and Kamile said ‘my hands are the only place I want you to be’.

“It is a very bittersweet ending for us because although we miss them, we know that their love was true.

“They may have been young but they could have taught us a thing or two - love overcomes everything”.

A priest at her funeral said “hearts are broken” by the tragedy.

Fr Cathal Deveney recalled “a young girl, beautiful, 17 years old, taken all too tragically from us”.