'Tough day for Carlow and wider area', says bishop

Today is a very tough day for Carlow and the wider area, according to Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin. The bishop addressed a vigil in Graiguecullen for the family of a woman and a seven-year-old boy injured in a crash on the M9 last weekend. The vigil was held to show solidarity and support for the injured and for the families of the five teenagers killed in the crash.

Bishop Nulty emphasized the importance of remembering the deceased, particularly the young boys, while also being conscious of the grief of the families still mourning.

He expressed sadness over the actions of the five teenage boys leading up to the crash, stating that they put themselves and others at risk. Bishop Nulty pleaded for careful language when discussing the incident, noting that words can both wound and heal. He highlighted the societal issue at hand and the need for people to be cautious in their words, especially on social media, as this is a societal problem.

Bishop Nulty urged patience and understanding as the families grieve, stating that no parent wants to bury their child. He acknowledged the anger people feel towards the teenagers' actions but called for a pause in judgment. He stressed the importance of community support and early interventions to prevent such incidents in the future. The funerals for the victims, Joe Carthy, Alex McCarthy, Kamil Pustkowski, Jeremy O'Brien, and Jack Kennedy, are scheduled to take place in various Carlow churches.