Community gathers in Graiguecullen Parish Church to support women and child injured in M9 crash

Hundreds of flickering candles warmed the congregation at St Clare’s Church during tonight’s (Friday, 21 August) vigil for the three sisters and young boy seriously injured in last weekend’s M9 crash.

The huge crowd was a manifestation of the deep support and concern from the Carlow and Graiguecullen community for Alma and Niamh Kinsella, Ella Hendricken and her seven-year-old nephew Yemi.

The family was travelling to Dublin Airport to go on holiday when a black BMW car containing five teenage boys, travelling in the wrong direction along the carriageway, crashed into their vehicle. All five of the car’s occupants died in the crash.

Originally from the Bennekerry area and later of Graiguecullen, Niamh and Alma Kinsella are aged in their 30s. Ella is aged in her 20s.

Neighbours, friends, family members and people who didn’t know the Kinsella-Hendricken family came to the vigil Mass to express their hope that the family make a full and quick recovery.

Catriona Kelly, a pastoral worker at St Clare’s parish centre, described the Kinsella-Hendrickens as “a really lovely family,” who were “very well liked.” She knew Niamh and Alma from school, as they all attended St Leo’s College.

Separately, she had gotten to know Vincent, the girls' brother, and Ella through the St Clare’s parish centre. Ella volunteered as a Sunday School leader and a reader at Mass as a teenager.

Catriona mentioned that the Graiguecullen GAA jerseys were a reference to Niamh’s love of sport. Niamh has been a member of Claremorris LGFA club in Co Mayo for a number of years and currently plays for their junior team. The club posted a message of support on Facebook earlier this week.

Fr John Dunphy led the vigil Mass, with a sermon from Bishop Denis Nulty and Reverend Paul Fitzpatrick also attending.

“People at a time like this need to know what to do. And most people in Carlow are at a loss. Because accidents like this are terribly, terribly sad; in a way sad is a weak word for it,” said Bishop Nulty.

Joining together in prayer was a way for the community to “simply hold [the family] and hold one another.”

“In some ways it has met a need, it has ticked a box, it’s something to do,” continued Bishop Nulty.

He thanked the emergency services for attending so professionally to the scene of the crash and the healthcare workers who are taking care of the girls in hospital.

Bishop Nulty further warned the parishioners to be mindful of what they posted on social media about the fatal incident. “We have to remember there are grieving parents of young boys as well, so we hold them all in our prayers,” said Bishop Nulty.

Minister of state Jennifer Murnane O'Connor was present at the Mass, alongside her party colleague, minister of state for mental health, Mary Butler.

Vincent, and the father of two of the girls were among the family members who attended the vigil. They preferred not to speak publicly about the girls’ condition in hospital, saying it had been “a week from hell.” 

Another way the community has been offering support is through a GoFundMe page, set up by Brian Curley, a close friend of Ella, which has garnered over €686,000 in donations. He received a round of applause from those attending the vigil.