Special memories of Tipperary crash victims will live with us forever

“The strength of the Clonmel community is truly admirable, and I hope that the love and support shared during this service will bring some measure of comfort to all.”  The words of President Michael D. Higgins which were read out on his behalf on Saturday evening, to those who gathered at the Kickham Plaza as people came together to remember Zoey Coffey, Nicole Murphy, Grace McSweeney and her brother Luke McSweeney who were tragically killed in a road traffic accident on August 25 last year. 

Around 1,500 people of all ages gathered along with the immediate family who wanted to say “thanks” to the people of Clonmel and indeed the whole country, and especially the emergency services who helped and supported them in those sad days and in the last year since the tragedy. 

Mayor of Clonmel, Cllr Michael Murphy welcomed and thanked everybody on behalf of all the families and recalled how supportive the people of Clonmel were to the families and to each other last year, especially at the Vigil which occurred. 

“When needed most, the people of Clonmel of all ages rallied around together to help and support not just the families, but one another,” Cllr Murphy said. 

During the remembrance service specially chosen readings and personal reflections were read by family members for each of those who died, followed by songs and music chosen by the families, including ‘Halleluia” sung by local musician David Trass for Grace and Luke, along with Leaha, Lauren, Brianna, Caitlin, and Freya who sang “In the Arms of the Angels”  for Zoey and “Jealous of the Angels” for Nicole,  along with John Corry who sang the opening Abide with Me and How Great Thou Art at the end of the ceremony.

Part of the service was a special mention of thanks to all the emergency services, not just for all they did on that sad night, but throughout the year. Prayers were read by members of the Gardai, Ambulance staff, Fire service and Hospital staff for each other, and later, a rapturous round of applause was given by the crowd for all the amazing work they do, and in appreciation from the whole community for every one of them who daily sometimes put their own lives in danger to help and comfort us all. 

Prayers were also offered for Thomas and Bridget O’Reilly and their grandson Tom from Cashel who also tragically died a few days after the events in Clonmel last year.  

In his reflection, Fr Michael Toomey paid tribute to all the friends of Grace, Nicole, Zoey and Luke for what they had to deal with last year, and the remarkable way in which they dealt with the tragedy. He encouraged them again to continue their journey and follow their dreams, because that’s what their deceased friends would want for them. 

“In the days after when we gathered here on the Plaza we stood here as a community mourning together. All our differences however large or small were put aside. The family were grieving, the friends were grieving, the people of Clonmel and around the whole of Ireland were grieving, the emergency services were grieving. And yet we stood shoulder to shoulder, side by side, looking out and supporting each other. Let that be our abiding memory of those sad days” Fr Toomey said. 

Prayers and a minute’s silence were then offered, after which Siobhan and Sinead who organized the service, released a number of butterflies, significant because of their presence which was noticeable by the families in the days after the tragedy, and were symbols of transformation renewal and spiritual growth. As the singers sang “Butterfly Fly Away” by Miley Cyrus a special boxed butterfly and reflection was then presented to the families as a memory of the service. 

As people slowly departed from the Plaza after the service and as some children happily chased many of the butterflies around, some candles were left on the steps. However, people noticed that four butterflies continued to flutter around the candles left for Grace, Luke, Zoey and Nicole – the people feeling blessed to have had them touch our hearts and left us with special memories of them that will live with us forever.