Aunt of N7 crash victim Dean Maguire denies funeral procession glorified criminality

Maguire (29) died in a burning car alongside his friends Graham Taylor and Carl Freeman earlier this month after driving down the N7 on the wrong side of the road and crashing into a truck.

At his funeral, a torch and screwdriver were brought to the altar during the offertory procession, as well as cigarettes, his cap, newspapers, his keys, a Canada Goose jacket, and his reg plate.

Maguire’s aunt, whose brother Thomas is the deceased’s father, spoke on Liveline today and told Joe Duffy that she “didn’t think” anything of the weapons being featured in the ceremony and “wouldn’t say” they glorified criminality.

She said: “I do not believe in scandals or scandalising people... I wouldn’t be judging anyone.

“They’re making this big thing out about a torch.

“These young lads, whatever crime they done, I don't know. But look, they’re gone now and there's nothing bringing them back.”

She said that she was unaware of the crimes committed by her nephew, who had around 30 criminal convictions, but admitted that she knew he had served time.

“The reason I knew Dean had a criminal record is because he went to prison.”

However, she told listeners that Maguire’s crimes – which included serial burglary - were not the worst and believes that people are too keen to judge young people with criminal records.

“He didn’t deserve to die. I’m not saying he didn’t deserve to go to prison. You do the crime, you do your time... But there’s worse out there,” she said.

“Why do they give them a criminal record straight away? Why don’t they try to rehabilitate them?

“No kid is a bad kid... They’re all judged at an early age when they get involved and get a record.

“People think that people like those young boys had no hearts... They’re condemned to be bad and ruthless all the time.”

The aunt also shared that Maguire’s parents, Kathleen and Thomas, are “too devastated” to inquire into their son’s death.

“My family is so devastated. They’re broken up over this but we’ll get to the bottom of it.

“We’re all brokenhearted, we’re devastated, we’re torn apart.

“Let the dead rest. It’s history now. What has taken place is history.

“The family are grieving, they’re in pain. Let them rest,” she said.