TWO communities in north Galway united in grief yesterday as the second of the teenage sweethearts, killed accidentally by carbon monoxide poisoning as they sat together in a friend's car, was laid to rest in the village of Williamstown.
More than 1,200 people attended the funeral of Ms Margaret Mitchell (17), of nearby Carrowneeney. Most of them had gathered 24 hours earlier in Glenamaddy a few miles away for the funeral of her boyfriend, Mr Thomas Fleming (19) of Creggs, Glenamaddy.
More than 250 school going children and teenagers, most from Colaiste Sheosaimh in Glenamaddy where Ms Mitchell was a Leaving Certificate student, lined the main street. They wore white armbands marked with black crosses as the funeral cortege left St Teresa's Church in the cold wind followed by the chief mourners her parents, Bernard and Maureen, and her 10 year old sister, Teresa.
Ms Mitchell's friends and schoolmates linked arms, numbed by the death of a pal. Some overcome and in tears, left the Requiem Mass early. A large floral arrangement spelt out the name "Mitch" and offerings presented by her friends included books, a cassette player, a rose and a photograph with her of some of those pals.
A commentary on her short life spoke of her as an avid reader and lover of music; someone who "shared in the love of family and friends". The prayers included one for her boyfriend, who had sat with her in a car less than 100 yards from her home when carbon monoxide is believed to have leaked in through a hole in the vehicle.
Father John Cullinane said the Mitchell family's cross was "a great one". He appealed to people to do all they could to make it easier to bear. With so many young people in attendance he said he could not forgo the opportunity to appeal to them to heed their parents.