Tributes to three young Carlow crash victims ahead of autopsies on Saturday

Katie Graham (19), Daryl Culbert (21), and Michael Kelly (25) lost their lives on Wednesday night. A fourth occupant of the red Lexus, aged in his early 20s, is being treated in hospital. 

The autopsies on the three young people killed in Wednesday’s crash in Carlow will get underway on Saturday as tributes continue to pour in for the deceased.

The funerals of Daryl Culbert, 21, from Kiltegan in Wicklow; Michael Kelly, 25, from Nurney, Co Carlow, and Katie Graham, 19, from Ballickmoyler on the Laois/Carlow border will take place next week.

The three friends died when the red Lexus they were travelling in collided with a tree and burst into flames just after 11.30pm on Wednesday.

Floral tributes and poignant mementoes — including an energy drink and a toy car set — were placed at the scene of the crash on the N80 near Carlow town which claimed the lives of three people aged 19 to 25 on Wednesday night. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

A fourth person, a man in his early 20s from nearby Ballinabrannagh, was taken to St Luke’s hospital in Kilkenny. He was later transferred to the Mater Hospital in Dublin, where he was being treated last night for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The postmortem examinations at University Hospital Waterford are expected to continue throughout Saturday.

Katie Graham’s funeral will be the first to take place. 

Nineteen-year-old Katie Graham's remains will be reposing at her family home on Sunday prior to Requiem Mass and burial on Monday. 

She will lie in repose at her family home on Sunday afternoon from 3pm to 8pm, with Rosary at 7pm. 

She will be removed on Monday morning to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Arles, for 11am Requiem Mass, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

A death notice for Katie said she was pre-deceased by her brother Noel Junior, and is survived by her parents Damien and Breda, and sister Laura.

A tribute posted on social media by her former primary school in Arles, Co Laois, said: 

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the sudden death of one of our past pupils, Katie Graham.

“We would like to express our deepest condolences to her family and the families of the other two boys who also lost their lives.”

Daryl Culbert, a trainee mechanic, was well known in autograss racing circles while Michael Kelly, an electrician, was also a car enthusiast.

In a social media post, the Rallysport Association said 21-year-old Daryl was a true gentleman who will be sorely missed by all at the association.

The association said the Kiltegan man was a young Crosskart talent, whose “ability was clear for all to see with a number of victories and podium finishes, always accompanied with a smile, alongside his father, Trevor.”

The association extended its sympathies to his parents, Trevor and Heather, his sisters and his wider family, as well as the family and friends of the other young people involved in the accident.

His death has shocked the world of autograss racing, with the West Waterford Autograss Club saying he was “one of the most unassuming young men on and off the track and had gone on to prove successful in other forms of motorsport”.

His clubmates in Carlow autograss club offered their “love, support and condolences” to his family, adding: “He will be sadly missed by us all as a member and friend. Rest in peace Daryl CW8.”

Michael Kelly's brother Jordan said the family are "devastated" following the loss of their loved one, adding they will remember him as a "great brother and a role model".

The three deaths are among 19 fatalities on Irish roads so far this year.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

A garda spokesperson said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N80 at Leagh between 11.15pm and midnight are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.”