A young man who died in a car accident on his wedding day is considered someone who “lights up people’s lives”.
Mourners at the funeral service of Myles ‘Miley’ Harty, who was killed in a single vehicle accident on the morning of his wedding last Saturday, were told that the tragic accident stole Mr. Harty of his dreams and opportunities.
Mr Harty, 20, was a passenger in a silver Skoda hatchback who exited part of the R518 Askeaton on Rathkeale Street and hit a post at around 1am.
On the morning of the fatal collision, he was supposed to marry Kate Quilligan of Thomondgate, Limerick City, at St. Munchin’s Church.
P. Seán Ó Longaigh, Rev. Askeaton, Co. Limerick, addressing Mr. Harty’s parents, Margaret and Myles Snr, said: “Your loss is great, no one is really destined to bury any of their children. It’s a heartbreaking experience, but Miley has a cherished place in your hearts, a place from which he will never be displaced.
“There follows a numbness, a disbelief, a sadness. I’m sure there is still the difficulty of accepting that it actually happened, it’s more like a bad dream.”
P. Longaigh said Mr. Harty and Mrs. Quilligan should have celebrated their wedding, “but of course so many circumstances added grief to grief, and how much more difficult that made things, especially for his bride, Kate.”
The fatal collision in which Mr. Harty died “ended all dreams and opportunities,” he added.
P. Longaigh paid tribute to the 20 year old, saying, “I know that Miley loved his family, especially his mother and grandparents.
“As you all know, Miley made friends easily, and he had many friends, he lit up people’s lives. He loved horses, greyhounds and hunting with his friends. ”
The mourners shared a lighthearted laugh as the priest said, “Miley was extremely generous and would share anything, but I don’t think his kebab, chips, and cola. There is a limit to everything. ”
Regarding road safety, Fr. Longaigh said to the congregation at St. Mary’s Church in Askeaton: “I want to make an appeal to our young people because accidents are preventable. Cars are a wonderful gift, a great convenience, but also a deadly weapon.
“I remember well when I got my first car, the temptation to accelerate, the temptation to take risks and of course you don’t see any danger at a young age, but unfortunately the danger lurks us.
“And I’m sure that many of us would ask here to be aware of the danger to ourselves and others when driving. You are too important to us to lose you.”
Well-known Limerick singer Sinead O’Brien from Patrickswell played songs at the funeral service, including the Westlife hit “You Raise Me Up”.
Mr. Harty’s loved ones brought items to the altar that were important to him, including a bottle of Coke, hair gel and deodorant, his cell phone, a halter and rope, and a Limerick GAA jersey.
“He would have really enjoyed it [the All-Ireland final] last Sunday. I’m sure he saw it from a different angle, ”said Fr. Ó Longaigh.
