Clonmel came to a standstill to mourn the tragic deaths of Luke and Grace McSweeney

Clonmel came to a standstill last Friday morning as thousands gathered to mourn the heartbreaking deaths of brother and sister Luke and Grace McSweeney a week before in an horrific car crash near their home.

Shops and businesses closed and crowds several people deep lined Gladstone Street to pay their respects as twin hearses carrying the remains of 24-year-old Luke and 18-year-old Grace travelled side by side in solemn procession towards SS Peter & Paul’s Church followed by their devastated family.

A guard of honour of Luke’s friends dressed in black suits escorted the hearses while students from Presentation Secondary School - where Grace attended - formed another guard of honour along the street.

The sight of the white and oak coffins bearing the siblings’ remains being carried into the church as the choirs of Presentation Secondary School and High School sang Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, was the most heart-wrenching and sorrowful the town has witnessed in many years. Their father Paul and brothers Mark and David were among the pallbearers.

President Michael D. Higgins and Education Minister Norma Foley attended the funeral while the Taoiseach was represented by his Aide de Camp Cmdt. Claire Mortimer.

EULOGIES CELEBRATED LUKE'S AND GRACE'S VARIED INTERESTS AND BEAUTIFUL PERSONALITIES 

Luke and Grace McSweeney were remembered at their funeral Mass as two talented and popular young people who were a hugely positive influence on all whose lives they touched.

Luke’s friends celebrated his “larger than life” personality, his wide circle of friends and his eclectic range of hobbies and interests ranging from soccer, GAA, the gym, darts and poker to gaming, spirituality and religion.

Kevin Grace, in his eulogy, recalled how they became close friends during their college days in Limerick and bonded over their shared interest in gym training while housemates.

He said Luke was a central figure of many friends groups around Clonmel whom he knew from his school and college years and his various hobbies.

“Luke had an incredible knack for bringing people together. He was always introducing his friends to new people and was so welcoming to everyone he met.”

Mr Grace added: “If you knew only one person in Clonmel and it was Luke McSweeney, your social life was set up.
“He had a distinctively easy-going and carefree manner that was infectious and nothing really phased him.”

He paid tribute to Luke’s remarkable positive outlook on life and spoke of how his “ability to connect with people on a personal level was a gift that brought everyone closer together”.

“Even just 15 minutes with Luke felt like golden time. Luke was a big man, he had a big personality and he had a big presence and he would have told you that himself.

“But most of all he had a big heart and now as we say goodbye let’s keep Luke in our hearts where he will forever remain a legend, a true friend and a force of nature that will never be replicated.”

Eoin Hewitt, also spoke of his ability to bring people together and recalled how his friend organised darts and poker events for his friends during their High School days.

Luke’s wide range of interests spanned everything from Irish history, geography and bodybuilding to MMA and the New York mafia.

More recently, he said Luke became more in touch with his spiritual side and looked into holistic health. He had always been religious and told his friends all the time about his faith and beliefs.

He said Luke was a best friend who inspired him to be more confident and a better version of himself and he would never forget the impact on his life.

Eoin also spoke on behalf of Luke’s girlfriend Kelly Corcoran. “They had a special connection and love not just anyone can find and she was forever grateful to have been that person in his life. She says ‘goodbye for now my forever best friend’.”

Emmet Fahey paid a special tribute to Grace, on behalf of Luke’s friends who came to know her from their visits to the McSweeney home.

He remembered her sense of humour, how she was the “best of craic”; and her “daredevil” prowess at gymnastics.

And as she got older, he recalled how Grace looked after Luke’s friends during their visits; boiling the kettle and laying on treats some of which she baked herself. On behalf of all Luke’s friends, he thanked her for all the laughs and for her kindness.

Deputy Principal of Presentation Secondary School Róisín Hennessy, thanked Grace’s parents for sending their beautiful daughter to their school.

She said Grace was a credit to her wonderful close knit family and it had been “an honour and privilege” to be part of Grace’s life for six years. 

She said Grace’s parents couldn’t have picked a more appropriate name for their daughter as the little girl who right before their eyes grew into a young woman was “the epitome of grace”.

Ms Hennessy didn’t just mean her sporting prowess but also the grace she carried within her.

“She was a talented dancer, so graceful and elegant with musicality that it was wonderful to watch. I’m sure her fellow dancers found it wonderful to share the stage with her. 

“She was an extraordinary gymnast and on more than one occasion made the school gasp as she catapulted herself through the air at one of our school concerts.”

Ms Hennessy pointed out that despite Grace’s impressive talents, she was not an exhibitionist, quite the opposite.

She paid tribute to Grace for sharing her amazing talents. She had begun to train younger gymnasts with a “warmth and kindness” that was exemplary.

“Each child she coached admired her and will I am sure aspire to be just like her.

“Karen, who was Grace’s gymnastics coach, described her as their ringleader and she said the entire team truly believed she will watch over them forever.

“She was also a team player; an integral part of many teams in the school and community. Grace played sports as she lived her life; enthusiastically and with a little bit of divilment.”

Ms Hennessy also praised Grace’s sincerity

“When she was friendly and polite, which she always was, it was with sincerity. When she was happy and having fun with her friends, it was with sincerity. When she was troubled or worried, it was with unselfishness and above all sincerity.

“And she brought this sincerity and loyalty to all her relationships, in particular her friendship with Zoey, which was very, very special. 

“Zoey was her rock, her confidante, her partner in crime and her best friend. They will remain together forever now in heaven and in our hearts.”

Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Richie Molloy, the councillors of Clonmel Borough District, Clonmel Garda Superintendent Kieran Ruane and Bishop of Waterford & Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan were among the other dignitaries present. Declan and Serena Murphy and Demelza and John Coffey, parents of Grace’s friends Nicole Murphy and Zoey Coffey, who also perished in the crash, were among the chief mourners.

Canon Billy Meehan, PP of St Mary’s Parish in Clonmel, celebrated the funeral Mass. He had married their parents Paul and Brigid, baptised both Luke and Grace and anointed their bodies after the accident.

In his homily, he extended sympathy on behalf of the whole faith community in Clonmel to Luke and Grace’s family and the families of Zoey Coffey and Nicole Murphy.

He also remembered the O’Reilly family from Cashel, who suffered the loss of three family members, Thomas and Bridget and their grandson Tom a few days earlier.

Canon Meehan recited poet John O’Donohue’s poem: For a Parent on the Death of a Child and spoke of how the whole town and country has been “united in grief and solidarity”.

He said a cloud had hung over the town of Clonmel but the support and presence of the people had been a great comfort for all the family.

They had all been united in grief over the past few days and the “outpouring of grief and empathy” in the wake of these tragic deaths was a real expression of faith and belief in God.
Exceptional Young Person

He described Luke as an exceptional young person who was involved in the GAA and in recent times he played soccer with Old Bridge FC.

He was a spiritual and deeply religious person who passed on little gems of wisdom to all his friends.

Canon Meehan recalled how during the Covid pandemic, Luke used to hit ball around with his younger brother David, who was on the Tipperary U-16 hurling team and gave him the following advice: to keep going to the gym, eat properly and remain loyal to his religion and God.

He was sure many of the young people who visited the McSweeney home over the past few days to pay their respects would remember “some little gem of wisdom” Luke had given them.

He described Grace as a “diligent” girl who was full of life. She loved dancing and was a great gymnast, who loved going to the Loreto Secondary School to teach the sport.

“We all remember at this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade when Grace did her little routine before the parade stand and how graceful she was and how professional her performance was. 

“Her name was Grace, she was grace by nature and grace by disposition.”
Canon Meehan also mentioned how Grace was the official time and score keeper at matches, recording the times and scores on an app on her phone. 

“If you wanted to know who scored and what time, you went to Grace.”

He described Luke and Grace as “the angels of peace to us all”. 

“The legacy that Luke and Grace will leave with us is a legacy of spirituality, because God meant a lot to Luke and Grace. Let’s hope that message will be picked up by all their friends and their companions.”

The offertory gifts were presented to the altar by Luke’s girlfriend Kelly Corcoran and Grace’s boyfriend Aaron Costin. Cousins Jack and Aidan Phelan recited the first and second readings.

Luke and Grace’s aunt Clara Phelan read a Communion reflection she wrote that beautifully captured the essence of her deceased niece and nephew.

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan recited prayers of commendation and extended his sincere sympathy to the McSweeney family. He said the whole country had been affected by this tragedy that resulted in the loss of such wonderful young people.

At the end of the ceremony, Luke’s friends Kevin Grace, Eoin Hewitt and Emmet Fahey, and Róisín Hennessy, Deputy Principal of the Presentation Secondary School, gave eloquent eulogies celebrating the lives of Luke and Grace.

A recorded message of condolence from one of Luke’s heroes, MMA fighter Conor McGregor, was played. It was arranged by his girlfriend Kelly’s family.

The final speaker was Luke and Grace’s mother Brigid, who showed enormous fortitude in her address to the congregation.

She began her eulogy by saying the McSweeney family’s first thoughts were with the Coffey and Murphy families as they too mourned the loss of their loved ones.

She thanked the community for their support over the past week and paid a moving tribute to her beloved son and daughter.

“My gratitude outweighs my sorrow. I feel compelled to come before you all here today to let you know the messages you sent from near and far were heard.

“The compassion shown to us during this time is overwhelming, and like many of you over the last week, I could not find the words. 

“I too find myself not able to find the words because ‘thank you’ feels inadequate. On behalf of Paul, Mark, David and myself, we will be forever in awe of our emergency services.”

She paid tribute to the gardaí, fire brigade, ambulance personnel and staff of South Tipperary General Hospital for their “heroic efforts” the previous Friday night when they lost Luke, Grace, Zoey and Nicole, four extraordinary young people.

“The help and support that we have received from families, friends, neighbours, school, clubs, shops and businesses of our town, the people of Clonmel, our communities and far beyond is truly phenomenal. We are all strong now because of you.

“Paul and myself were honoured to be the parents of Luke and Grace and are blessed to have them for so long.
Gentle and shy

“Grace was gentle and very shy and always had to have a friend by her side.

“Luke was strong, not only in body but also in mind, and wanted to make a difference in the world. He wanted to make it a better place.

She continued: “Luke and Grace had wonderful friends and I thank them all for making Grace and Luke’s life so fulfilled and wonderful. They were the happiest they could ever have been. 

“Luke strived to be the best version of himself and he encouraged everybody to do the same with Luke’s code: eat well, stay fit and have faith.” 

Brigid McSweeney concluded with the message: “Leave your sorrow behind here today and make the world a better place.”

The choir sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow as the funeral procession left the church and emerged into the sunshine filled church grounds lined by Presentation Secondary School students and mourners.

A large crowd walked behind the two hearses and McSweeney family as they proceeded through the town centre to St Patrick’s Cemetery where Luke and Grace were laid to rest.