The funeral of Kiea McCann has heard how the teenager and her friend Dlava Mohamed were touching hands in their final moments. The teenagers who attended Largy College died in a tragic car crash in Clones on Monday, as they were making their way to the school's debs.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Sacred Heart Church in Clones today for the funeral service of 17-year-old Kiea McCann. At two o’clock, the cortege drove into the entrance of the church grounds followed by her family and loved ones with students from Largy College forming a guard of honour in tribute to their former classmate.
A presentation of symbols were brought to the altar to represent the 17-year-old and all the things she loved most. Amongst the items was a photograph of Kiea dressed in her formal wear, just one hour before tragedy struck.
Chief Celebrant Fr John Chester told those in attendance how much Kiea looked forward to attending her school debs which was due to take place in the Westenra Hotel in Monaghan town on Monday evening. Sympathies were also offered to the Mohamed family as a candle was lit to represent 16-year-old Dlava and the local prayers that were offered for her.
Fr Chester referenced the strong bond and friendship that both teenagers shared, right up until their final moments. “Sitting yesterday with Kiea’s dad Frankie at the McCann home, I listened to him describing his frantic actions following his arrival at scene of the crash,” explained Fr John Chester.
"He described conducting CPR on his daughter Kiea and on her friend Dlava, but with no success. The hands of the two girls were touching as if they knew they were off to heaven together. No father should ever have to witness such a terrible scene.”
Those gathered followed Kiea on her final journey from the Sacred Heart Chapel to her final resting place in Mount St Oliver's Cemetery. Meanwhile, the funeral of Dlava Mohamed heard how the tragedy had shocked the Muslim community across Ireland. The 16-year-old's funeral service took place at Clonskeagh Mosque this afternoon.
Dlava received a traditional Muslim funeral at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland. Family, friends and classmates travelled from Clones this morning to attend her funeral in south Dublin. As per tradition, the men and women separated during the service, with the women wearing headscarves watching the service from the balcony while the men remained downstairs.
Dlava had been due to start Transition Year in Largy College in September. After the service, her classmates lined the steps from the mosque in a guard of honour, as her body was taken to Newcastle Muslim Cemetery for burial.
