Crowd gathers at Limerick church to remember crash victim Miley
Family and friends of the tragic couple have gathered to mourn Myles Harty's memory on what should have been his wedding day.
Family and friends of Miley Harty who died in a tragic road crash just hours before his wedding was due to take place today, have gathered to remember him at the church where it would have taken place.
Myles 'Miley' Harty, 20, from Askeaton, Co Limerick, was due to marry his sweetheart Kate Quilligan, who hails from High Road, Thomondgate, Limerick city.
Ms Quilligan was supported by hundreds of family and friends, including those who should have been celebrating the couple’s wedding, as they mourned outside St Munchin's Church.
A sound system played music and songs while many wept outside the church.
Dozens of blue heart-shaped balloons which read “King For A Day” and “20”, were released into the sky above the church grounds.
Just hours before her fiancé’s death, Ms Quilligan posted a photograph on Facebook of herself beside a message for Mr Harty, that read: “Can’t believe I’m marrying my best friend in the whole world in the morning. See you at the altar babes.
Later, Ms Quilligan informed loved ones in a public Facebook post that she would be releasing balloons at the church at 3pm, the same time was due to marry Mr Harty, “because that’s where we should be celebrating the best day of our life at that church but instead it’s the worst”.
She added: “I love you forever, it will always be me and you, no matter what. Love you unconditionally my gentle giant. You didn’t deserve this my handsome baby boy.”
John Costelloe, a family friend and a local Sinn Féin Councillor, said he wanted to pass on his sympathies to both families.
“I just want to give my condolences to Kate’s family and the deceased’s family. I know Kate and her mum Tina, and her father Connie, they are a very well-known and respected family here in Thomondgate; it’s an awful tragedy for them, a very difficult time,” Mr Costelloe added.
Others took to social media to pass on their sympathies to Ms Quilligan and pay tribute to Mr Harty.
“So sorry for your loss Kate, Mylie R.I.P.,” wrote one.
“My heart is broke for you Kate,” said another.
“I’ve yet to witness sadder news, I really can’t imagine what you are going through. Thinking of you, your family, and Miley’s family, rest in peace Miley,” another wrote.
Mr Harty died instantly when the car in which he was a front seat passenger, left the road and hit a pole at around 1am, at Cragmore, on the Askeaton to Rathkeale Road.
A teenager, who gardaí believe was driving the car, was arrested by gardaí at the scene, on suspicion of committing an offence under the Road Traffic Act.
A third man, who was a back seat passenger in the car - a silver coloured Skoda hatchback - was taken by ambulance from the scene to University Hospital Limerick with what gardaí said were “non-life-threatening” injuries.
The wider Traveller community, of which Mr Harty was a member, has been plunged into deep sadness, and his wide circle of friends and relations were trying to come to terms with his sudden death.
Fr Seán Ó Longaigh, Askeaton Parish Priest, said Mr Harty was well-known in the rural West Limerick community.
Fr Ó Longaigh said the town was “in shock”.
“Myles was a young person who grew up locally, he went to the local school, he’d have an awful lot of relations around Askeaton. He was due to get married in Limerick today, yes, the family must be in bits."
Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal single vehicle collision and have appealed for witnesses and any dash cam footage from other vehicles that were traveling along the R518 Askeaton to Rathkeale route around the time of the collision.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 01 8010600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
The death brings the number of dead on Irish roads to seven in just over 24 hours.
Four people, including an infant, lost their lives on the M6 near Ballinasloe, Co Galway, on Thursday evening after a car drove the wrong way along the motorway before striking a number of vehicles.
Separately, two men, named locally as David Conroy and John Enright, were killed in a three-vehicle accident in Duleek, Co Meath, early on Friday morning.
The separate accidents led An Garda Siochana and the Road Safety Authority to yesterday issue an appeal to motorists to take greater care on the road, particularly given heavy rainfall across the weekend is likely to lead to hazardous road conditions.
