Malaga crash victim ‘lit up every room she entered’, funeral mass told

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

Michaela Newcombe had a “rare, radiant gift of lighting up every room she entered”, her funeral mass has heard.

The 23-year-old from Mullingar died alongside her partner and sister-in-law in a crash in Spain last month.

Authorities said two vehicles collided on the A7 motorway near the city of Malaga in the early hours of June 28th.

One of the vehicles then fell down an embankment, killing Ms Newcombe, her partner Mark McCullagh-Crichton, and sister-in-law Amy McCullagh.

Ms McCullagh’s husband Ian was seriously injured in the crash.

Addressing mourners at Cathedral of Christ the King, Fr Phil Gaffney said: “The loss of Michaela, Mark and Amy has enveloped the town of Mullingar in a grief that words cannot fully measure.”

Symbols of Ms Newcombe’s life were presented at the beginning of the ceremony including a family photo, teddy bear, mobile phone, hair straighteners, makeup bag and her favourite coat.

Fr Gaffney said: “When we look back on her short life, we’ll always remember her friendly face, that beautiful, unforgettable smile,” adding: “She had a rare, radiant gift of lighting up every room she entered.

“That smile wasn’t just a fleeting gesture, it was a true reflection of a kind, generous soul.

“She brought warmth to our lives, and she truly made the world a brighter place.”

He said she moved in with her grandparents aged three and her “world truly revolved around” them.

Family was important to Ms Newcombe, he said. She moved to Spain to work but returned to Ireland when she “realised she was too much of a home bird”.

“Michaela loved her mummy and daddy beyond measure,” he said, and “her brothers and little sister were always her number one priority”.

Describing her relationship with Mr McCullagh-Crichton, the parish priest said: “We all know that Michaela was particularly fussy about certain things, and when she brought Mark home for the first time to meet her Nanny and Grandad, they knew this guy must be something special.

“They truly cherished the time they spent together, and he treated her like a princess.”

She was a “loyal and hard worker” who “took immense pride in how she looked, always sporting the latest trends – her hair, her nails, makeup”, Fr Gaffney said.

“She was strong-minded, never shy to tell it exactly as it was, and we know the world is a little less bright without her.”

He added that the family were thankful for the “extraordinary support that they have received over the past 10 days”.