Matthew McCallan

The Very Rev Dean Kevin Donaghy presided over the heartbreaking funeral mass at St Malachy's Church, Edendork, on Sunday afternoon. Matthew's coffin, followed ...

“One evening, his father went to call him for his dinner and opened the bedroom door and there he was music playing loud, and as he walked into the room, there was this cloud of vape smoke. He loved to be about the horses, he loved his football. You encourage and support me in all I want to do. He loved to get the work boots on. He was clearly heading for more of the same. The times with Matthew were good times.

The funeral of Matthew McCallan has heard details of a tribute the tragic teen wrote to his parents in which he described them as “the guiding light that ...

"As he walked into the room, there was this cloud of vape smoke. Matthew’s coffin, adorned with pictures of all the things that were close to his heart, arrived at the church behind a horse and trap and was brought to the altar to the song, Forever Young. Included were his work boots, a cowboy hat, one of the tractors recently taken out of storage, a cap belonging to his late grandfather, and trophies and medals won by his dad. As Matthew sat on the gaming chair, and explained when his daddy asked him 'what's that smoke all about': 'Oh it's that new type of Xbox, when it gathers a whole load of dust, it blows it out through the back'." “Recently in school, Matthew gave some thought and reflection on his immediate and short-term goals and he designed a lovely, colourful page to keep himself reminded of it. Displaying remarkable maturity and sensitivity way beyond his 15-years, his funeral was told Matthew wrote a beautiful letter of gratitude to his parents, Peter and Frances.

Hundreds of mourners packed into St Malachy's Church in Edendork for Matthew's funeral on Sunday.

Your loving hearts and the way you care make me feel as special as can be. “Matthew liked plenty of time in the outdoor life, whether on the sports field or farming field. “The times with Matthew were good times. “He loved to get the boots on, he loved to be about the horses and he loved his football. A touching tribute from Matthew to his parents was displayed on the altar of the church during the mass. His death will now be the subject of an inquest from the coroner’s office, and the case has been referred to the Police Ombudsman. “Most of all, Matthew knew a great amount of time to love and to be loved, most especially across all the generations of his family. “The large display of photos on the kitchen table at home tells of a very happy young boy, living and growing through a lot of interesting activities and lively experiences.” The funeral heard of how Matthew had recently put together a list of goals for the near future, including passing his GCSEs, saving money and buying a car. “Over the years of his young life, there was a lot of time to build up his talent and skills, and everything was hands on,” Dean Donaghy said. “All things technological, mechanical, agricultural and practical held a fascination for Matthew and he was clearly heading for more of the same. A number of items were brought up to the alter at the beginning of the funeral mass to remember Matthew’s life, including a pair of work boots and a cowboy hat.

CHRISTMAS is, of course, a time for family, a chance to press pause on our busy lives and appreciate the blessings we have in the company of those we love.

The Police Ombudsman has been asked to examine the initial PSNI response after Matthew was reported missing in the early hours of Sunday. At the funeral of Matthew McCallan in Co Tyrone yesterday, mourners were told about the goals the 15-year-old had hoped to fulfil, from passing his GCSEs to saving up money to buy a car. CHRISTMAS is, of course, a time for family, a chance to press pause on our busy lives and appreciate the blessings we have in the company of those we love.

His body was discovered in the Tattyreagh Road area of Fintona shortly before noon on Monday December 5. | UTV News.

I would appeal to anyone who saw Matthew or anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact police on 101, quoting 319 of 04/12/22." Detective Inspector Michael Winters added: "I would appeal to anyone who has CCTV in these areas and hasn't yet spoken to police to come forward. "Our thoughts remain with Matthew's devastated family at this time and we are trying to provide these answers for them.

The PSNI have said they are no longer treating the death of Matthew McCallan as unexplained or suspicious.

"I would appeal to anyone who has CCTV in these areas and hasn’t yet spoken to police to come forward. “Our thoughts remain with Matthew’s devastated family at this time and we are trying to provide these answers for them. “I am keen to hear from anyone who has CCTV in a number of areas within Fintona, including Loughmuck Road, Edergole Road, Tullycunny Road, Blackfort Road and Tattyreagh Road.

However, in a statement the PSNI said the are continuing to investigate the Co Tyrone teenager's death. Matthew, 15, was found dead in the Tattyreagh Road area ...

“Police received a report of a missing person shortly after 3.30am on Sunday 4th December when Matthew did not arrive home after attending an event in Fintona on Saturday night. “I am keen to hear from anyone who has CCTV in a number of areas within Fintona, including Loughmuck Road, Edergole Road, Tullycunny Road, Blackfort Road and Tattyreagh Road. “Our thoughts remain with Matthew’s devastated family at this time and we are trying to provide these answers for them. I would appeal to anyone who has CCTV in these areas and hasn’t yet spoken to police to come forward. Police have said that following a post-mortem examination they are no longer treating Matthew's death as unexplained. “Matthew was last seen at approximately 1.20am near the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona, and we are keen to establish his movements after this time.

The death of a teenager found dead in Co Tyrone is no longer being treated as “unexplained”, police have said. Matthew McCallan, 15, from the Dungannon area ...

“I would appeal to anyone who has CCTV in these areas and hasn’t yet spoken to police to come forward. He said: “Our thoughts remain with Matthew’s devastated family at this time and we are trying to provide these answers for them. “I would appeal to anyone who saw Matthew or anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact police on 101, quoting 319 of 04/12/22.” “Sadly, Matthew was discovered by a member of the public in a ditch in the laneway of a property approximately two miles away from the social event at around 11.45am on Monday December 5. “Police received a report of a missing person shortly after 3.30am on Sunday December 4 when Matthew did not arrive home after attending an event in Fintona on Saturday night. “I am keen to hear from anyone who has CCTV in a number of areas within Fintona, including Loughmuck Road, Edergole Road, Tullycunny Road, Blackfort Road and Tattyreagh Road,” Mr Winters said.

The 15-year-old was found dead after going missing after a night out at a country music event earlier this month.

“I would appeal to anyone who has CCTV in these areas and hasn’t yet spoken to police to come forward. He said: “Our thoughts remain with Matthew’s devastated family at this time and we are trying to provide these answers for them. “Sadly, Matthew was discovered by a member of the public in a ditch in the laneway of a property approximately two miles away from the social event at around 11.45am on Monday December 5.