Tears and tributes as hundreds remember four young friends killed in Clonmel crash one year ago

Hundreds of people have gathered to remember four young friends who lost their lives in a tragic road traffic collision exactly one year ago.

In what was one of the worst road crashes Ireland has ever witnessed, Zoey Coffey, 18; Nicole Murphy, 18; Grace McSweeney, 18 and Luke McSweeney, 24 were killed on August 25th, 2023 in Clonmel, Co, Tipperary.

The friends were on their way out to join friends to celebrate their Leaving Certificate results. In the days following the horrific event the newly built Kickham Plaza in the town became a focal point for their many friends to gather in their grief.

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Hundreds gathered there again on Saturday evening to remember the four victims in an emotional ceremony one year on, the Irish Mirror reports.

Former curate in Clonmel, Fr. Michael Toomey, who organised the ceremony, said the families ''want to thank the people of Ireland and Clonmel for what they did. They want to thank the emergency services, and they just want to continue to remember Grace, Zoey, Nicole and Luke. We will never forget them; they're part of all of our fabric now."

He added: ''Thank you to everyone who attended the Remembrance Service for Nicole, Zoey, Grace and Luke last night and to all who assisted with reflections, prayers and music - and to their families, as we remember them - especially today."

The service finished with the release of butterflies to signify hope and new beginnings.

Mayor of Clonmel Councillor Michael Murphy (FG) said: "I think what you saw tonight was again a sense of how strong that community spirit is, that the community of Clonmel are there for the parents of Nicole, Zoe, Luke and Grace ... (and) that we will never forget."

He added: "I think it's very special, the ceremony with the butterflies at the very end was very moving, the music, the reflections. As Mayor, I'm just very proud of Clonmel and I think it was very much appreciated by the families."

First anniversary masses were celebrated for each of the victims in Clonmel and Kilsheelan on Sunday.

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