Family members of Alex McCarthy, one of five teenagers killed in a fatal crash on the M9 motorway, expressed hope for the full recovery of those injured in the collision, as McCarthy’s funeral took place in Carlow on Friday. The service, held at Holy Family Church in Askea, drew hundreds of mourners, many of whom wore white T-shirts bearing photographs of McCarthy, who was 16 years old. Fr Thomas Little, who presided over the Mass, described the gathering as one marked by “heavy hearts and a deep sense of sadness.” He emphasized the importance of compassion during such a tragic event and called upon the community to offer support to the grieving families. The crash occurred on Sunday near Moone, Co Kildare, when a BMW driven in the wrong direction on the M9 collided head-on with a Hyundai. The five teenagers, Alex McCarthy, Joe Carthy, Kamil Pustkowski, Jeremy O’Brien, and Jack Kennedy, were all from the Carlow and Kildare areas. The Hyundai, carrying three sisters and a seven-year-old boy, was heading to Dublin Airport when the collision happened shortly after 3 a.m. Three of the passengers, including the two sisters, remain in serious condition at Tallaght University Hospital, while the child and the fourth sister are also hospitalized with severe injuries. McCarthy’s funeral followed the funerals of Joe Carthy, 15, from Athy, Co Kildare, and Kamil Pustkowski, 17, from Limerick. His cousin, Jeremy O’Brien, 18, and Jack Kennedy, 17, from Athy, are scheduled to be laid to rest in subsequent services. The funeral for McCarthy was marked by a somber yet dignified atmosphere, with the church entrance adorned with blue and white carnations. An aisle leading to the entrance featured 14 heart-shaped photographs of McCarthy, each framed with flowers, alongside images of him with his pets. The casket, carried by family members, was transported in a white carriage pulled by two white horses. Songs such as Only the Good Die Young and Simply the Best were played as mourners entered the church. During the service, Fr Little spoke of the profound impact of the tragedy, urging attendees to share the burden of grief with the families. He highlighted McCarthy’s love for the outdoors and his affinity for animals, particularly ponies and dogs. His grandmother, Tina Roycroft, read parts of the scripture, visibly emotional during one passage. Fr Little offered a prayer for the deceased, asking for healing for the injured, comfort for the bereaved, and strength for those enduring hardship. After the service, four well-groomed horses awaited to transport McCarthy’s body to St Mary’s Cemetery. The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Denis Nulty, referred to the day as “a very tough day for Carlow,” acknowledging the widespread distress caused by the crash. He called for a broader national discussion on road safety, emphasizing the need for early intervention and support for young people. Nulty also urged the public to respect the grieving process, noting that families require time to heal. Earlier, he had attended a vigil in Graiguecullen for the injured, expressing his prayers for their recovery. A separate funeral for Kamil Pustkowski took place in Limerick, where his remains were cremated after a brief service. Meanwhile, plans for the funerals of Jeremy O’Brien and Jack Kennedy are still pending. Gardaí have maintained a visible presence at all funerals, with concerns raised about potential unrest due to the emotional intensity of the situation. Former Garda Inspector Tony Gallagher warned that the events could become contentious, stressing the importance of maintaining order and respecting the dignity of the proceedings.
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