The funeral for one of the victims heard that the names of the five young people who lost their lives in a Co Louth road tragedy will now remain linked forever.
Chloe McGee, a 23-year-old teacher from Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan, was killed in the collision near Dundalk last weekend alongside her partner Alan McCluskey, who was also 23 and from Drumconrath in Co Meath, reports Breaking News.
Their friends Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee in Co Louth, Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan, and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Bellshill in Lanarkshire, Scotland, were also among those who died.
The group were understood to have been travelling toward Dundalk for a social outing when the Volkswagen Golf they were in struck another car, reports Breaking News.
Another young man in his early twenties who had been travelling in the Golf was injured in the impact, as were a man and woman in the second vehicle.
Hundreds of people gathered with Ms McGee’s family at St Joseph’s Church in Carrickmacross on Saturday morning for her funeral Mass, reports Breaking News.
President Catherine Connolly was among those who attended to offer their respects.
Placed at the altar were symbols reflecting the young teacher’s life, including a family photograph and an image of her with Mr McCluskey, reports Breaking News.
The congregation heard that the couple had only recently come home from a trip to Dubai.
Other items laid out included a cowboy hat to represent Ms McGee’s enthusiasm for country music and a passport highlighting her wish to see more of the world, reports Breaking News.
Ms McGee taught at O’Fiaich College in Dundalk.
In his homily, Monsignor Shane McCaughey said the crash had brought immense heartbreak to the families of all five victims, reports Breaking News.
“Five names that will be forever united when people recall the terrible events,” he said, reports Breaking News.
The priest reflected on Ms McGee’s strong faith as well as her “bubbly character, infectious laughter and smiles that could light up any room.”
Turning toward her family, Monsignor McCaughey acknowledged how deeply their hearts had been broken, reports Breaking News.
“And yet, what I want to say today is ‘Thank God’,” he added.
“Thank God for 23 years of life, thank God for Chloe’s fun, for her joy, for her determination to overcome obstacles, for her willingness to achieve goals”, reports Breaking News.
“Thank God for her energy, for her dancing and her teaching, for her charming smile and her radiant love”, reports Breaking News.
As the service drew to a close, Ms McGee’s brother Aaron delivered a deeply emotional tribute.
“Just a second, one moment, a heartbeat, a breath, and the ordinary turned into the unthinkable,” he said, reports Breaking News.
“Now your name feels soft when spoken, as if everyone who says it is trying to hold it carefully, so it won’t break, Chloe,” reports Breaking News.
He described his sister and Mr McCluskey as “two hearts completely themselves” who found comfort simply being around each other.
Speaking about his sister’s legacy, he added: “You left echoes in places you never meant to, empty chairs, unfinished plans, hands that still reach for you without thinking, but you also left a light in the laughter you gave so easily, in the way you made others feel seen, in the warmth that has outlived the moment you were taken,” reports Breaking News.
Ms McGee’s brother concluded: “We carry you forward, not as a shadow of loss, but as a quiet truth that life, even a short one, can be bright enough to change the people who loved you. Rest gently, Chloe.”
The funerals for Mr McCluskey and Mr Commins took place on Friday, reports Breaking News.
A service for Mr Duffy will be held on Saturday afternoon.
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