Eighteen-year-old killed in a car accident. How many times have we heard or read those few words and just passed on to the next story? How many times have we shrugged our shoulders and thought there but for the grace of God goes one of mine? Then we think no more of it and, except for family and friends, that young life becomes just another statistic.

On Sunday night, the community of Scariff in Co Clare, the second year Ag Science class in UCD, the Leaving Cert classes of 2012 and 2013 at Cistercian College Roscrea, the handball community across Ireland and further afield, the hurlers of Clare and, above all, the Nash family lost one of the finest young men it has been my privilege to know.

How can I begin to describe Barry Nash? Wise beyond his years. A rock of sense. Level-headed. You’d trust him with your life. These are the words of much older men and women who gathered to comfort the family. Men and women who couldn’t contain their tears. And all of it is true.

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Barry was also a young man who loved farming with a passion. The minute he’d arrive home from UCD, he was straight down the yard. Last weekend he got to enjoy all of his passions in life. He played in two handball tournaments, had hurling training, farmed and spent time with his family and enjoyed his mother’s Irish stew.

Barry gave his best to everything he did. He was very bright but he also studied hard and was doing brilliantly at college. I’ve no doubt he would have made an impact on whatever path he pursued in agriculture. He was a fine-looking young man with an infectious smile that would make your day. It is the memory of this smile and his soundness that will sustain his friends and family through this terrible time. The deep faith of his family, which Barry shared, must also be a comfort.

All through the past few days, Barry’s parents, Mary and Jim, asked the hundreds of young people who called to pay their respects to honour Barry by living good lives. Sadly, a freak accident in terrible weather conditions denied this future to Barry.

We can’t wrap our young people in cotton wool, nor can we bring Barry back, but we can be there to support each other during these unbearable times when our faith is stretched to breaking point. And we must be there for our young people who are shaken to the core by such a tragedy.

To all who loved Barry Nash, his parents Mary and Jim, brothers Cathal and Diarmaid, sisters Dervla and Clodagh, grandmother, family and his many, many friends, we offer our deepest sympathy. And we must strive to honour Barry’s wonderful and worthwhile life. May he rest in peace.