Bishop Denis Nulty of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin described today as "a very tough day for Carlow and the wider area." Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he emphasized the importance of communal solidarity during a time of profound grief. A vigil was planned for the evening at St Clare's Church in Graiguecullen, where three women and a seven-year-old boy, seriously injured in a fatal crash on the M9 motorway, are receiving treatment. The bishop expressed deep sorrow over the incident, urging caution in the language used to describe the tragedy, particularly regarding the actions of the five teenagers involved. The crash occurred on Sunday morning near Moone, Co Kildare, when a stolen BMW was driven the wrong way on the motorway, leading to a head-on collision. Five teenage boys, Joe Carthy, Alex McCarthy, Kamil Pustkowski, Jeremy O'Brien, and Jack Kennedy, were killed in the accident. Their bodies were laid to rest in the days that followed, with funerals taking place in Athy and Askea. The victims were traveling to Dublin Airport for a family wedding in England when the collision occurred in the early hours. The families of the injured, including three sisters, Alma, Niamh, and Ellie Kinsella, and their nephew, remain in hospital, with two of the sisters in critical condition. Bishop Nulty acknowledged the public's anger toward the teenagers involved, but called for restraint and reflection. He warned against using harsh language or attempting to "pillory" the youths, emphasizing instead the need for collective responsibility and improved behavior. "We all have a role to play in the community," he said, adding that early intervention and support for vulnerable youth are essential. He also stressed the importance of allowing grieving families time to process their loss, noting that "no mother, no father wants to bury their son." Local leaders and clergy echoed the bishop's sentiments. Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne described the event as "a very dark day" in Carlow, calling it a "tragedy on so many levels." He noted that one of the deceased was a student at St Joseph's National School in Carlow, marking a somber moment in the school's history. Councillor Browne praised the community for rallying around the affected families and hoped that people would offer emotional and practical support during this challenging period. Parish priest Fr Tom Little, based in Askea, shared the deep sense of shock and disbelief felt throughout the region. He spoke of the injured family, who were on their way to a wedding, and expressed hope for their recovery. "It’s very hard to comprehend what’s happened," he said, adding that the families are "bereft with sadness." Fr Little also reached out to both the families of the deceased and the injured, offering condolences and prayers for healing. Fr Seamus McEntee, the parish priest of Athy, described the community as "numb" and struggling to grasp the scale of the tragedy. He noted that the collision, which took place shortly before 3 a.m., left people questioning how such an event could occur. "To wake up to something like this is just shocking," he said, acknowledging the difficulty of processing the incident. Priests in nearby towns, including Narraghmore and Moone, are also attuned to the emotional state of the community, recognizing the need for continued spiritual and emotional support. Tusla, the national child and family agency, confirmed that its staff are providing assistance to those affected by the crash. In a statement, the organization expressed its thoughts with the victims and their families, emphasizing the ongoing investigation by An Garda Síochána. "Our staff will be working with partner organizations to provide supports to the local families and communities affected," the agency said. As the week progresses, the focus remains on supporting the grieving families and ensuring that the community continues to come together in solidarity. Funerals for the deceased continue, and vigils are held to honor the lives lost. The incident has sparked broader conversations about road safety, youth mental health, and the pressures faced by young people navigating modern life. For now, the people of Carlow and surrounding areas are united in mourning and prayer, seeking solace in each other amid the pain.
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