KERRY ROAD CRASH: first victim laid to rest:TEENAGER ÁINE Riordan, who died with three friends in a car crash in Co Kerry, was remembered at her funeral yesterday as a "bright, intelligent girl" who had a passion for art and sport.
She was laid to rest in a white coffin inscribed with handwritten messages from her friends including the words “Beautiful Little Princess” and “Sleeping Beauty”.
Several hundred mourners gathered at Castleisland parish church at 11am yesterday for the 15-year-old’s Requiem Mass.
Áine’s boyfriend David and his brother Kevin Breen, aged 17 and 15 respectively, also died, along with another friend, Brian Coffey (19), after the car in which they were travelling went out of control and hit a tree.
The crash happened at 7.10am on Wednesday on a severe bend at Carrigeen-Crosstown on the main N72 Killarney-Mallow road.
A fifth person in the car, Darragh Jones (16), from Farranfore, Co Kerry, is in a stable condition at Kerry General Hospital.
Yesterday, Castleisland curate Fr Michael Moynihan said: “For Áine’s schoolmates life will never be the same without her. It is important to talk to each other and to pray for Áine who was very much part of your lives. We pray in silence but also in hope that death is not the end but the beginning of a new life – eternal life.
“Our hearts go out to Áine’s parents at this time of great loss. Every parent expects to see their children in to adulthood as children would expect to see their parents in to old age. But this is not to be for Áine’s family.”
Fr Moynihan said Áine enjoyed art and was “full of get up and go”. He added that she fitted a huge amount in to a life which was cut so tragically short.
Offertory gifts at the Mass included glitter, symbolising Áine’s love of art, a football to signify her passion for sport, and a hoodie top which formed part of her St Joseph’s Secondary School tracksuit. Fr Moynihan read a message of condolence which was forwarded to the church by President Mary McAleese.
A black ribbon was placed on the gate of St Joseph’s Secondary School prior to the Mass bearing the words: “In loving memory of our student, Áine”.
Classmates holding red and yellow roses huddled close together at the top of the church and comforted each other for the duration of the Mass. Áine was due to undertake her Leaving Certificate this year.
Classmates wrote personal inscriptions in marker on her coffin including the words “Áine loves David” and “Love you so much”. A note attached to a wreath from Áine’s friends read: “Áine you were taken from us too soon but the memories you gave us will last forever. We are glad you are with the love of your life.”
Áine, who lived in St John’s Park in Castleisland, is survived by her parents Dan and Mary and sisters Samantha, Cáit and Tara. Her remains were interred at Clogher cemetery.
The remains of David and Kevin Breen were removed from O’Shea’s funeral home in Killarney at 6.30pm last night to St Mary’s Cathedral with a joint funeral Mass taking place at 10.30am today and burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Kilcummin.
Brian Coffey’s remains are being removed from his house to Fossa Church at 11am today for funeral Mass with burial following at Aghadoe Cemetery on the outskirts of Killarney.