Brother and sister who died tragically in Clonmel car accident will be laid to rest tomorrow

The funeral Mass of brother and sister Luke and Grace McSweeney, who died in last Friday's horrific car accident near their home in Clonmel, takes place tomorrow (Friday, September 1). 

The heartbreaking deaths of Luke, aged 24, and his younger sister Grace, aged 18, along with Grace's fellow Leaving Cert friends Nicole Murphy (18) and Zoey Coffey (18) has rocked the communities they come from to the core. 

Today (Thursday, August 31) is the second day of the wake for Grace and Luke McSweeney. Their remains are reposing at their home at Ragwell, Mountain Road from 3pm to 8.30pm. 

Parking for the funeral wake is at Suirside Car Park, Clonmel (E91F207) where a bus will transport those wishing to pay their respects to the family home.

Their Requiem Mass, which will be attended by President Michael D. Higgins, takes place at SS Peter & Paul’s Church in  Clonmel at 11.30am tomorrow (Friday, September 1) and will be followed by burial in the town’s  St Patrick’s Cemetery. The funeral Mass will be streamed online via: the website: www.churchservices.tv/clonmelpeterpaul

Luke and Grace McSweeney had bright futures ahead of them.  

Luke worked in financial services while Grace had only received her Leaving Cert results at the Presentation Secondary School in Clonmel hours before the tragic accident took place not far from their home. 

The siblings are survived by their devastated parents Brigid (née Phelan) and Paul, brothers Mark and David, Grace’s boyfriend Aaron, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. 

Presentation Secondary School Principal Michael O’Loughlin, on behalf of the school, paid a beautiful tribute to Grace and her friend and fellow Presentation Leaving Cert student Zoey in the wake of their tragic deaths.  

He said the school’s students, staff and board of management were “devastated” by this terrible news and mourned the loss of their two Leaving Cert students along with Grace’s brother Luke and their friend Nicole Murphy. He extended condolences to the three families. 

He said no words could express the school community’s sorrow, pain and grief. 

Grace and Zoe were about to embark on a new chapter in their lives and he described them as “two beautiful students loved by everyone who met them”. 

“They had achieved excellent results last Friday and were thrilled with them. No words can express our sorrow, pain, and grief.” 

 He remembered Grace as “a gentle and kind person”. 

“She was thoughtful, considerate, and hard working. Grace was a gifted gymnast and dancer, and a very good student who had a positive impact on everyone she encountered," he added. 

In an interview to RTE’s Morning Ireland, some of Grace and Zoe’s classmates at the Presentation remembered them as lovely people and great friends who were always together. 

In her heartfelt tribute to her two deceased classmates, 19-year-old Enya Galligan recalled how Grace was the hardest working person she had ever met in her life. 

Kool School Gymnastics Club based at Gurtnafleur Business Park in Clonmel  paid tribute to Grace in a message of condolences to the families of the four accident victims it posted on its Facebook page. 

“Grace will never be forgotten in our gym, such a talented gymnast. 

“She was a role model to all our members young and old, boys and girls,” the club wrote and added that it also remembered Luke, Zoey and Nicole.

Grace’s older brother Luke was a past student of Clonmel’s High School and a keen sportsman, who enjoyed soccer and the gym. 

In a statement, High School Principal Karen Steenson said it was with profound sadness and grief that the school had learned about the devastating accident that resulted in the untimely and tragic death of their past pupil Luke and his sister Grace. 

“We are holding their brother David in Fifth Year and their family in our hearts at this time,” she wrote and also extended sympathy to the Murphy and Coffey families on the death of Nicole and Zoe in the tragedy. 

Luke had recently joined Old Bridge FC. The club’s TSDL Division One game against Cashel Town, which Luke had been due to play in, was called off on Sunday as a mark of respect. 

The club issued a statement on Sunday expressing “deep sadness, shock and disbelief” at the tragedy.  

“There are no words that explain this tragedy. 

“We are left numb and shocked by what happened but, however, we feel it pales in comparison to the devastation and loss of the McSweeney, Murphy and Coffey families. 

“Luke was due to play with us today and the sense of loss amongst the squad is palpable. 

“We send our sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the families and the hope of strength, support and courage that they will require at this awful time,” the club added. 

Powerstown FC, which Luke previously played with, also extended its deepest sympathy to his family and the  Murphy and Coffey families on their terrible loss. The club’s match against Rosegreen Rangers on Sunday was also called off due to the tragedy.