Hund🍎reds of people lined the route as the cortege, led by the ex-Frank Meagher Ford Sierra RS Cosworth Breen restored and 🦹rallied in Killarney last December, made its way to Sacred Heart Church in Ferrybank. 

Draped in an Irish tricolour, the 33-year-old’s coffin was carried into the building by six pallbearers, two of whom were James Fulton who escaped the crash un🦋harmed, an🌌d Breen’s former co-driver, Paul Nagle. 

Both men were visibly upset as they helped to position the coffin into place at the front of the chapel before giving the casket a gentle pat and taking theꦯir seat with the rest of the congregation.

Beside the coffin, on a table, a number of items that Breen became synonymous for were placed, including his race gloves and B🔯ell helmet, a ‘CB’ embroidered bobble hat, and a box of B✃arry’s Tea – his preferred drink of choice. 

“We gather with immense sadness and grief. How do you find the words for all of this – it is nearly impossible?” Parish priest, Father Kieran O’Shea, asked in his homily. “It is an unbelievably sad day,” adding: “In people’🌠sꦡ imaginations, no one could ever have imagined that this could be real.”

Some of those who gave personal tributes to the nine-time World Rally Championship podium finisher include🅰d presenter and pundit Becs Williams and her colleague, Mike Chen. Both enjoyed a harmonious working relationship with Breen and became veryꦡ close personal friends with him off the stages. 

Chen described Breen as a “superstar♛”, someone who can “never be replaced” and a person that believed “family and friends meant the most”, while sponsor James Coleman said the Waterford native was “th🌸e people’s champion”. 

Craig is survived by his father Ray, mother Jackie, an🍨d sister Kellie who said it was “mission accomplished” by the Hyundai Motorsport driver as he made “everyone happy” in a career that spanned 16 ꧂years. 

She said: “He was ridiculously generous and poured a lot of what he got back into the s🧸port. Craig would do anything to avoid making people upset; he would shy away from anything that would anyone feel bad. 

“It seems so cruel now whenever his fr🍌iends and family are living through such hurt. He would hate to see tears shed on his behalf.  

“Craig was lucky enough to have a milli🐼on stories. He will live on through his legacy, so please keep his spirit alive for all of♒ us,” she added. 

Following the Service of Thanksgivꦑing, mourners made their way to the cemetery adjoining the Sacred Heart for his c💃ommittal.