A priest warned young men about the “danger” and “risks” of driving on our roads, adding that cars are a “deadly weapon”.
Father Seán Ó’Longaigh, Rev. Askeaton, Co. Limerick, spoke at the funeral service today for young groom Myles “Miley” Harty, who was killed in a car accident on the morning of his wedding last Saturday.
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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. A passenger in the back seat was rushed to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, but the driver, a late teenage man, was arrested at the scene of the accident and interrogated by Gardai before being released without charge, the Director of Prosecution.
On road safety in general, Fr. Seán Ó’Longaigh said to the congregation at St. Mary’s Church in Askeaton: “I want to challenge our young people because accidents are preventable; Cars are a wonderful gift, a great convenience, but they are also a deadly weapon. “
“I remember well when I got my first car there was the temptation to speed up, the temptation to take risks, and of course you don’t see any danger at a young age, but unfortunately the danger is lurking.”
“And that’s why the request that many of us would certainly make here is to be aware of the danger to yourself and others when driving – you are too important to us to lose you.”
Mr. Harty was due to marry Kate Quilligan of Thomondgate, Limerick City, at St. Munchin’s Church on the morning of the fatal collision.
P. Seán Ó’Longaigh said to Mr. Harty’s parents, Margaret and Myles snr: “Your loss is great, no one is really destined to bury any of their children, it is a heartbreaking experience, but (Miley) has a cherished one Place in your heart, a place where it will never be suppressed. “
“There follows a numbness, a disbelief, a sadness, and I’m sure there is still the difficulty of accepting that it actually happened – it’s more like a bad dream.”
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Fr Seán Ó’Longaigh said that 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 it made things, especially for his bride, Kate.”
“You and the rest of the family had to move from a day of great joy to a day off in deep sorrow in a moment,” said Fr. Ó’Longaigh.
The fatal collision in which Mr. Harty died “ended all dreams and opportunities,” he added.
P. Ó’Longaigh paid tribute to the 20 year old, saying, “I know his family was very important to Miley, 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 and greyhounds and hunted with his friends. “
The mourners shared a lighthearted laugh as the priest joked, “Miley was extremely generous and would share anything – but not, I believe, his kebab, french fries, and cola; There is a limit to everything. “
With the assistance of Rev. Patrick Comerford, Limerick & Killaloe of the Church of Ireland, Fr Ó’Longaigh added that after the tragedy, “people” gathered around the family “to comfort them, but there is sorrow that only you have “.
An American steel coffin containing the remains of Mr. Harty was driven to the church in a black hearse behind a sulky and led by family members walking with a banner with photos of relatives saying “RIP Miley, you are with your” family now ” .
Mourners, including Ms. Quilligan, wore white T-shirts with a photo of Mr. Harty that read “RIP BOSS”.
A large poster of the deceased and another of him and his bride were displayed next to his coffin and the floral tributes on the church altar.
Well-known Limerick singer Sinead O’Brien from Patrickswell played songs like the Westlife hit “You Raise Me Up”.
A large crowd listened to mass over a loudspeaker in front of the church and along the street, while a smaller group of Mr. Harty’s closest relatives and friends gathered inside.
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 (the All Ireland final) last Sunday, I’m sure he saw it from a different angle,” concluded Fr Seán Ó’Longaigh.
Mr. Harty’s coffin was hauled out of the church to a waiting white four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage for its final resting place in the Reilig Mhuire cemetery in Askeaton.
