THE funeral was held yesterday for a Downpatrick teenager who died following a collision outside Castlewellan last week. Eighteen-year-old Jamie Marks – who was known as Jay – was laid to rest at Struell Cemetery following Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church in his hometown. The teenager has been fondly remembered by the committee, players and supporters of Castlewellan and District Darts League, of which he was a member. Jay had been driving along the Ballylough Road last Friday afternoon (2 February) when the accident occurred.
No other vehicle was involved. Sadly, and despite the best efforts of members of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A spokesman for the darts league said the teenager, who lived at Marian Park in Downpatrick, was “a super young lad” who played alongside his uncle and cousin, Gerald and Daniel Braniff, on the Macken’s team in Newcastle. He said that when news of the tragedy filtered through, the league’s committee postponed that night’s fivea-side competition as a mark of respect. “The committee of the darts league took the decision to postpone Friday’s competition after news filtered through that one of the league’s players had very sadly passed away after being involved in a road traffic accident that afternoon. “Everyone on the committee, league players, along with his Macken’s team-mates would like to extend their deepest heartfelt sympathies to young Jamie’s father Paddy, mother Donna and his siblings Leasa and David; and also to the entire family circles at this tragic time,” he said. Describing Jay as “a super young lad”, the representative added that the popular teenager “was always up for a bit of banter and craic” and that he “loved playing darts”. The spokesman also spoke fondly of Jay’s “big infectious smile and cheeky grin” before adding that “he was liked by everyone who knew him, and will be sadly missed”. He concluded: “Rest in eternal peace Jamie. May God embrace you into heaven and hold you tight.”
A family notice described the teenager as a “dearly beloved son”, “much-loved brother” and a “loving uncle”. In addition to his parents and siblings, Jay is survived by a wider family circle including his grandparents Gerald and Patricia Martin.
Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was travelling in the area between 2.30pm and 3pm last Friday, and has dashcam footage which may be of help. Detective Sergeant Amanda McIvor, of the PSNI’s Collision Investigation Unit, said the teenager had been driving a blue Vauxhall Corsa on the Ballylough Road at the time of the tragedy. “Colleagues from other emergency services attended, but sadly Jay Marks was pronounced dead at the scene,” she confirmed. “Following the tragic death of Jay, we are appealing for information and witnesses. We would particularly ask anyone who was travelling in the area between 2.30pm and 3pm to review any dash-cam footage they may have captured and make contact with us by calling 101. The reference number to quote is 1074 of 02/02/24,” the officer concluded.