A BROTHER and sister who died in a horror crash on Leaving Cert results night will be laid to rest on Friday - as the first funeral details are announced.
Grace McSweeney, 18 and her 24-year-old brother Luke McSweeney, from Clonmel in Tipperary, died in the collision on August 25.
Nicole Murphy, 18, from Ballypatrick and Zoey Coffey, 18, from Kilsheelan, also passed away in the tragedy just hours after they received their exam results.
Luke and Grace McSweeney's funeral mass will take place at St Peter and Paul Church on Friday morning at 11.30am, followed by a burial in St Patrick’s cemetery.
The RIP.ie notice said: “They will be sadly missed and their precious short lives will never be forgotten by their mother Brigid (nee Phelan), father Paul, brothers Mark and David, Luke's beautiful girlfriend Kelly [and Grace's boyfriend Aaron], their aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, neighbours and large circle of friends.”
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Thousands gathered yesterday for a vigil for the four victims at Kickham Plaza, Tipperary.
Harry Phelan, a cousin of Grace and Luke, said the tragedy is "very, very sad."
He told RTE News: "It's a big shock. We're very close, we grew up with Luke and Grace and their siblings Mark and David, so it's very, very sad.
“A big shock, but it's great that the community in Clonmel came out this evening to support everyone."
The heartbroken cousin said the family are “struggling”.
He continued: “But they've really good people around them to support them and get them through.
“They can't really put into words and I suppose it hasn't really hit them yet, and it will be a very tough days and years ahead."
Harry said it was consoling to see thousands attending the vigil.
He said: “They can find some small encouragement I suppose, and some small hope in the community in Clonmel."
Friends of Grace McSweeney and Zoey Coffey who attend Presentation Secondary School said the girls were "joined at the hip".
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Grace was remembered as a comforting person with a calm energy.
Speaking at the vigil yesterday, friends Laura Cooney, Kaylen Conway and Enya Galligan said the “only peace we have is knowing that they are together now".
Zoey was remembered as a girl who put everyone before herself.
Classmate Enya Galligan said: “Zoey lit up every room she walked in. She was the life and soul of the party.
"She was like a mammy to us all if we ever needed anything we would go to her.”
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Fr Michael Toomey told how the community was numb, speaking at the vigil.
He said: “For some it has just not hit us that Luke and Grace, Nicole and Zoey have died. It doesn’t make sense.
“Why? Why them? The question we will sadly never get the answer to. Not in this life anyway.”
Fr Toomey thanked emergency services and all of the victims’ friends for their support.
He added: “You have been over and above exemplary this weekend in the way you conducted yourselves and supported one another. You should be all very proud of yourselves.”
The Mayor of Clonmel, Richie Molloy, said: “None of us can remember such a tragic incident happening. Our hearts go out to the families.”
He added: “It's very hard to know what the families are feeling this evening, and while we can imagine, it's very hard to know.”
Gardai are continuing to investigate the crash.
