'Both boys who died were 22, both the same initials, both were in final year at college ..but one represented the light, the other the darkness..' MOTHER'S ANGUISH AS SHE BURIES STAB VICTIM SON SEBASTIAN.

Byline: EOIN REYNOLDS

MURDER victim Sebastian Creane's heartbroken mum said yesterday her son was killed by a "demon".

And she told of the uncanny similarities between Seb and crazed knifeman Shane Clancy, who committed suicide after stabbing the 22-year-old to death.

Brave Nuala Creane read from a prepared script during Seb's emotional funeral at the Holy Redeemer Church in Bray, Co Wicklow.

She revealed his traumatised girlfriend Jennifer Hannigan - also injured by ex-boyfriend Clancy - blames herself for his tragedy.

Seb's brother Dylan suffered horrific injuries in the attack and another friend, rock guitarist Laura Mackey, escaped unharmed.

Mrs Creane added: "What is my God of little things saying to me about this incomprehensible act which took place in our home on Sunday morning of August 16?

"This tragic incident which caused mayhem in all our lives and robbed Dylan of a younger brother he was so proud of. As Dylan himself said, 'Seb was like me but with swagger'.

"D, Seb, Jen and Laura faced a presence of demonic proportions that manifested itself through Shane Clancy. How do I, Seb and Dylan's mother, even try to rationalise this one?"

Among the mourners were Seb's friends, in purple hoodies, black-and-white scarves, jeans and bright red sneakers - a look they all knew as Seb's style.

Songwriter Phil Coulter played piano while crooner Tommy Fleming sang songs including Something Inside so Strong by Labi Siffre and Steal Away.

But there was silence as Nuala made her way to the altar, her surviving son's arm wrapped around her shoulder. It was just eight days since maniac Clancy flipped and stabbed Seb to death, knifed his ex-girlfriend Jennifer and Seb's brother Dylan, before killing himself with a Dunnes Stores knife.

Mrs Creane said: "This morning Seb's body is back in his Moses basket. It's a bit bigger than the one he began life's journey in but it serves the same purpose - a place to rest.

"We are faced with a grim reality today - burying my younger son."

She noted the similarities between Seb and killer Clancy.

She explained: "Both boys who died were 22, both had the same initials, both were in their final year in college and were set, even in these recessionary times, to have fruitful careers. So many similarities.

"Yet on the morning of August 16 my God of small things said to me one boy represented the light, the other the darkness."

Jennifer, 22, and Seb's brother Dylan, 28, were both seriously hurt during the knife attack in Cuala Grove.

But they braved their injuries to attend Seb's final farewell, Dylan comforting and holding his mother throughout her 15-minute homily.

He showed no visible sign of the eight knife wounds he had suffered. Jennifer cried throughout the ceremony and still bares a small bruise under her right eye - the only visible mark of her ordeal.

She and hundreds of mourners wept during Mrs Creane's emotional tribute to a "fine young man". Nuala revealed she and husband James decided to have a second child as company for Dylan.

She added: "Seb was eager to be born. He arrived three weeks early at 10 minutes to two in the afternoon.

"Do you remember the old days when the clock faces in the habberdashery window all read 10 to two because the face of the clock looks like it is smiling?

"My God of small things was telling me this would be a happy child and he was."

She praised his teachers who had "challenged him, tested his mettle ...supported him so he became a fine man".

And she called on Seb's friends to pay tribute to him by letting the light within them shine. She added: "I know you are hurt and want to do something to make it right. The best way you can honour Seb's life is to create the most enlightened lives you can."

Seb's body was taken to his parents' home town of Ballina, Co Mayo, where he was buried yesterday evening.

Irish Mirror Comment: Page 8

AGONY ETCHED ON FACES OF SURVIVORS DYLAN & JENNIFER

CAPTION(S):

Brother Dylan and Seb's girlfriend Jennifer who were both hurt in attack HEARTACHE Friends and relatives of murdered Sebastian are overcome with emotion during funeral DISTRAUGHT James and Nuala Creane at church COLOURFUL TRIBUTES Youths in hoodies, jeans and sneakers in memory of their pal yesterday lead procession ahead of Seb and Jennifer MURDERED Seb was stabbed by girlfriend's ex