Families 'lost in the fog of grief' and pain, recount emotional funeral of teenage girl victim of blast

Families and communities affected by the blast in Ireland are 'lost in a fog of grief' and painful sadness, the funeral of 14-year-old Leona Harper has heard.

The teenager, who had gone to Creeslough petrol station to buy ice cream, was one of 10 people killed in the blast in Co Donegal.

Mourners at her funeral heard how her parents, Hugh and Donna, referred to their daughter as a "jewel" that shone brightly.

His funeral took place at St Mary's Church in Ramelton, Co Donegal.

Earlier Thursday, Martina Martin, mother of four, was also laid to rest. Father John Joe Duffy said the store clerk had "an abundance of love".

Their funeral marked the sixth and seventh victims of the Creeslough tragedy to be buried.

A photo of 14-year-old Leona Harper inside the hearse (

Picture:

PENNSYLVANIA)

The funeral of Leona, who was a talented rugby player and the sister of two older brothers, Anthony and Jamie, heard how her sudden death left all who knew and loved her "shocked and in mourning".< /p>

Father Michael Carney told the congregation, "Gems shine, gems sparkle, and gems draw us in.

"Leona shone brightly throughout her short life, shone with energy and fun and drew so many friends into her circle."

Father Carney described Leona as a "little lady with a big heart who lived a full life".

"Like most 14-year-olds, there were four important anchors in his life: his family, his friends, his hobbies and his school," he said.< /p>

"They were both separate and all interconnected.

Leona Harper's parents, Donna and Hugh, follow the hearse as it leaves St Mary's Ch...