Hundreds attend Carlow vigil for M9 crash victims

Hundreds of Carlow residents filled St. Clare's Church in Graiguecullen for a vigil of prayer and solidarity with the victims of a tragic M9 motorway crash. The service, which also accommodated attendees in the adjoining parish center and via live stream, focused on supporting the injured survivors and remembering those lost.

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We gather in solidarity, support for the three girls and nephew. They so deserve our prayers, particularly at a time when words fail . . . it’s good to come together.

The collision occurred last Sunday when a car, driven the wrong way on the M9 northbound carriageway near Moone, Co. Kildare, collided head-on with another vehicle. The occupants of the wrong-way car, five teenagers, all died at the scene. The four occupants of the other vehicle, three sisters and their young nephew, were traveling to Dublin Airport and remain in serious condition in Dublin hospitals.

Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin drew parallels between the community's shock and helplessness and the global emotions following the September 11th attacks. He emphasized the importance of gathering for prayer, noting that the victims could have been anyone from the community. "We gather in solidarity, support for the three girls and nephew. They so deserve our prayers, particularly at a time when words fail . . . it’s good to come together," he stated.

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Words can hurt but they also have the power to heal.

The bishop also urged attendees to be mindful of their language and social media posts, highlighting that words can both hurt and heal. During the service, candles were lit, and a soloist performed "Heal Us, Lord." Minister of State Mary Butler and local TD Jennifer Murnane O’Connor were also present to offer solidarity to the community, acknowledging the significant trauma and mental health impact of the incident.

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As minister for mental health I can understand the trauma, the mental health impact and distress caused to so many families.