Dylan’s funeral at Our Lady of the Nativity Church in Ardee, took place just hours after his pal Alan McCluskey was laid to rest
Dylan Commins, one of the five young people who tragically died in a horror car crash, brought “light, laughter and adventure” to everyone’s lives, mourners were told at his funeral Mass.
Dylan’s funeral at Our Lady of the Nativity Church in Ardee, took place just hours after his pal Alan McCluskey was laid to rest on Friday morning following his funeral Mass in nearby Drumconrath in Co Meath.
Dylan, 23, from Ardee in Co Louth tragically lost his life along with his pals Chloe McGee, 23;Shay Duffy, 21, Alan McCluskey, 23 and Chloe Hipson, 21, when the Volkswagen Golf they were travelling in collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser on the L3168 on Saturday November 15, 2025.
A sixth individual who was also in the Volkswagen Golf at the time of the collision was treated in hospital for injuries but has since been discharged.
The two people travelling in the Toyota Land Cruiser remain in hospital where they are being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.
On Friday afternoon, hundreds of neighbours, friends and family brought the town of Ardee to silence as they lined the streets close to Our Lady of the Nativity Church as Dylan’s remains were brought to the church for his funeral Mass.
Ahead of Dylan’s funeral cortege, his motocross car was brought to the church on board of his own Coole Automotive Recovery truck, a poignant tribute that reflected his passion and the deep sense of loss felt throughout the community.
READ MORE: Louth road tragedy: Tears and heartbreaking scenes as funeral of Alan McCluskey takes place
Chief mourners at the funeral included his heartbroken parents Thomas and Denise, sisters Lauren and her partner Finn, Jessica and her partner Colm and Sarah, granny Sheila, aunts and uncles Brendan and Ann, Clare, John, Suzanne, John, Kitty, Gary, Margaret, Brian and Denis and Aelish, cousins, relatives and a wide circle of trusted friends. President Catherine Connolly and Government officials were also present to pay tribute to Dylan.
In an emotional tribute to Dylan celebrating his life defined by adventure, determination and an unmistakable spark, his sister Lauren told mourners her brother “left an imprint on everyone he met.” “Through his friendship, his mischief, his kindness, and his unstoppable determination,” said an emotional Lauren.
Born on 17 April 2002 to Thomas and Denise, Dylan was known for his adventurous spirit, his love of cars, and his determination to forge his own path.
From motocross competitions with Milverton Motocross Club to launching his own business, Coole Automotive, he pursued life with energy and passion.
“We as a family travelled to north county Dublin most Sundays to support Dylan with what he loved, he won many a trophy over the years before Covid put a stop to it all,” Lauren continued.
She said after his school years, Dylan’s life “truly began to flourish.”
“He wanted to be his own boss, like his dad,” Lauren said. “Slowly, that dream began to take shape when his “great love of his life – cars – took over completely.”
“From the age of 14, the Donegal Rally became a yearly pilgrimage, one that never lost its magic for him. He was the real king of the cone, and everyone who knew him knew it,” said an emotional Lauren.
She told mourners how Dylan made the brave decision to go to Australia where he remained for ten months forging lifelong friendships and returned home after 10 months for his mam’s 50th birthday. He then started his own transport and recovery business, Coole Automotive, doing what he loved most.
“He had big plans – bigger than most people his age. He talked about becoming a millionaire, and if life had given him the time, he absolutely would have made it happen.
“But on 15 November, those dreams were cut heartbreakingly short, alongside the lives of his friends. And nothing will ever be the same again. Dylan lived quickly, loved deeply, and laughed loudly. He left an imprint on everyone he met – through his friendship, his mischief, his kindness, and his unstoppable determination.
“Though his life was far too short, it was packed with adventure, with bravery, with joy, and with the love of family and friends who adored him. Today, we don’t just mourn the life we lost – we honour the life he lived.
“Rest easy, Dylan (the showman). Your journey was wild, bright, and unforgettable – and your story will live on in all of us,” a tearful Lauren said.
Chief celebrant for the Mass, Father Francesco Campiello, Curate of the Parish of Ardee and Collon told mourners: “There are no words.”
“These are the only words that were uttered by most people after what happened last Saturday night,” said Fr Campiello. “Sometimes human words are not enough to describe our joy and, in this case, to describe our sorrow. Thus, we are reduced to silence,” he said.
He told mourners: “By the fact that no matter what you achieve, it is never enough. There is always the question “what’s next?” waiting for us.
“You can win the Champions League, or the F1, or, in the Irish context, the Sam Maguire Cup, but still your heart is longing for something more, still we carry a restlessness inside.
“This was very clear in Dylan’s life. He was constantly moving: his teachers would know that pretty well. From one sport to the other, from one job to the other, from Ireland to Australia and back. Dylan’s life represents very well this restlessness which deep down is the desire for a full and meaningful life.”
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh, Bishop Michael Router said “the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Dylan, together with Chloe McGee, Chloe Hipson, Alan McCluskey and Shay Duffy, has left communities across this region, and indeed across the whole country, shocked and grieving.
“None of us can easily comprehend the scale of what has happened,” said Bishop Router. “All we can do is hold Dylan and each of his young friends in the embrace of our prayers and commend them to the eternal mercy of God.
“In your sorrow Denise, Thomas, Lauren, Jessica and Sarah, the Lord, who is always close to the broken-hearted, will surround you with His comfort, His strength, and His peace. Nothing I say can take away the pain you carry. But I can say this for certain: you are not alone. You are held by a community of care and love.
“I could see that on Wednesday night when I called to your home, how you supported each other as a family and how your friends and neighbours were giving you strength.”
Symbols brought to the altar representing Dylan’s life included a picture of Dylan’s lorry, his boots and his Coole Automotive T-shirt to represent the thriving business Dylan had built; a photo of Dylan’s family to represent the memories that will continue to hold the family together.
Another symbol was one of Dylan’s many scrambling trophies to represent his love for Milverton Motocross Club. Representing Dylan’s softer side, his Winnie the Pooh teddy, his Advent Calendar and his Santy letter were also brought to the altar and one of Dylan’s customised number plates to represent the strong friendships Dylan had built during his life.
Following the funeral Mass, Dylan was laid to rest in Old St Mary’s Cemetery.
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