Communities unite in grief after triple tragedy

TWO small communities were united in grief yesterday as they tried to come to terms with the deaths of a brother and sister and their friend.

Tearful young people gathered outside the family home of Tom and Mary Frewen in the small hamlet of Curraghagalla, near Mitchelstown, Co Cork.

They, along with 21-year-old Paul Geary, from Marshalstown, which is also near Mitchelstown, were on their way back from the Oxegen Music Festival when the car in which they were travelling was in collision with a lorry near Abbeyleix on Monday.

The fourth occupant of the car, Padraig Breanach, from Lismore, Co Waterford, sustained serious injuries and is in hospital.

Tom, aged 22, and Mary, aged 19, both worked part-time at Corbett Court restaurant and hotel near Kilworth. Their 16-year-old brother John also works there.

Declan Corbett, who is co-owner of the business, said their older sister, Brid, who is a chef, was working in the building when he received a phone call about the tragic accident.

“I couldn’t tell her. I just told her she was needed at home,” Mr Corbett said. He visited the family later to offer his condolences.

“It was probably the worst experience of my life. They were in bits.”

As a mark of respect Corbett Court will remain closed on Thursday until 4pm. A number of its staff are expected to form a guard of honour outside the Frewen house at 8pm tonight when the bodies of Tom and Mary are removed to the nearby Church of the Holy Family, Curraghagalla. Their Requiem Mass will take place at 3pm tomorrow and afterwards they will be buried at Brigown New Cemetery, Mitchelstown.

Tom was a commerce student at University College Cork and was due to go on holidays yesterday.

Mary was a business studies student at Cork Institute of Technology. They are also survived by their parents John and Lena.

Family friend Fr John Keane said the tightly knit community was in shock, while neighbour John Burke described Tom and Mary as lovely youngsters always willing to give a hand.

Colette Geary, the only sister of Paul Geary, tried to hold back the tears as she spoke about her brother.

“He was a big Cork City fan and loved to watch rugby and Formula One racing. Paul had a massive CD collection, he loved music and concerts.”

She added that her brother had a large circle of friends and was especially friendly with Tom Frewen.

His removal will take place at 6pm tonight from O’Brien’s Funeral Home, Mitchelstown, to the local Church of the Immaculate Conception. His Requiem Mass will take place at noon tomorrow and afterwards he will be buried at Marshalstown Cemetery.