‘It’s hard to say how God would let this happen to nice, good people’
Banter about the successful intermediate hurlers was forgotten as the congregation resolved not to talk about the only thing on their minds.
Nine hours previously, a well-liked woman Nollaig Owen (nee Kenneally) drowned herself and her son Tadhg in a local river.
Some people at Saturday’s Mass wept as parish priest Fr Donal Leahy read the gospel of the Good Samaritan.
His sermon reminded people that despite busy lives others were in distress and we had to find time to “stop and listen”.
Otherwise, the double tragedy was hardly mentioned until a simple prayer asked for God’s com woman’s mother Peggy Kenneally.
Afterwards Fr Leahy said it was very difficult for people who all knew Ms Owen.
“The family are obviously very upset, I think it is going to take time before anybody really can appreciate what happened.
“It is hard to find answers, and it is hard for priests to give answers and say how God would let something like this happen to nice, good people,” he said.
Although two small housing estates opened in the past three years, the village had only 427 residents at the 2002 census.
Physically and socially, the Kenneallys are at the heart of the parish. For many years Donal Kenneally had run one of four pubs in the town and, although it was leased before his death, his daughter Geraldine still runs the adjoining bistro.
The large family home is on Main Street.
It was a family of seven children with a large network of relations across the north Cork region. The Kenneallys are universally popular.
After Mr Kenneally fell from a roof while working on the demolition of a factory the community rallied around to raise funds so that his house could be adapted and he could move home.
Because of his injuries he got ill frequently but he bore them bravely, and this endeared him further to the people of Kilworth.
Chairman of the community council Peter Merrigan said people are willing to give the same level of support after this latest tragedy.
“Everybody here would know Peggy and the family and our hearts go out to them, it is very difficult.
“But I am sure people will be there for Peggy like they were before,” he said.
News of the deaths spread quickly. The village stopped and remained silent throughout the weekend.
There was a trickle of people going back and forth to the bridge where the drownings happened.
Fr Leahy said people could not find the words to express their emotions.
“There is an understandable sense of shock and I think the natural reaction is for people to withdraw into themselves,” he said.
People began filing into the Kenneally house after the bodies were brought home yesterday afternoon.
A large crowd is expected for their funeral Mass in St Martin’s Church tomorrow afternoon.
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