A vigil was held in Clonmel last night at the Kickham Plaza to remember the four victims of Friday night’s crash and to express solidarity with their families.
Mayor of Clonmel, Richie Molloy and members of the faith community led the event with Fr Michael Toomey, Vicar Forane and PP /Adm. at Parishes of Ardfinnan & Newcastle/ Fourmilewater delivering a pastoral homily. Pictures of the four young people were placed under the covered area with candles and flowers being added by members of the public – Gardaí estimated that upwards of 2,000 people attended the event.
The crash occurred shortly after 7pm on Friday night as the group were travelling down the Mountain Road near the Hillview Sports club. No other vehicle was involved – the car overturned and crashed into a wall. Luke McSweeney aged 24 from Clonmel was driving his sister Grace McSweeney, aged 18, Nicole Murphy, aged 18 from Ballypatrick and Zoey Coffey also 18, from Kilsheelan to a bus as they were to attend a Leaving Certificate party in Carlow. Schools in Clonmel opened over the weekend to allow the classmates of the deceased to gather in a supportive setting.
The funerals of the young people are expected to be held later this week after post mortem examinations have been completed. A special Mass for the repose of the souls of the four young people will be broadcast on RTE News Now channel at 10.30am on Monday August 28th. The President Michael D. Higgins and many public representatives have issued messages of sympathy to the families, the schools and the wider Clonmel community. Tipperary County Council is to open a Book of Condolence at 11am today.
