Clonmel principals pay tribute to 'beautiful, kind and vibrant' students Zoey, Grace and Nicole

'Both girls were absolutely thrilled with their results, and were looking forward to new, exciting times ahead' said Michael O'Loughlin

Flowers left near the scene of Friday's crash. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

The principals of the schools in Clonmel at the centre of last night’s fatal crash have paid tribute to the three “beautiful” Leaving Cert students who lost their lives in the devastating road collision just hours after receiving their exam results.

All three, they said, had all achieved “excellent” results and were looking forward to their futures.

Zoey Coffey and Grace McSweeney who attended Presentation Secondary School in the town lost their lives in the crash, along with Grace’s brother, Luke McSweeney and Nicole Murphy, a student from neighbouring school Loreto.

“Today, our school and our town are covered in a cloud of sadness and devastation,” said principal of Presentation Secondary School Michael O’Loughlin.

“Zoey and Grace received their Leaving Cert results yesterday and were about to embark on a new chapter in their lives.” “A day of celebration is now replaced by unbearable grief and a sense of great loss for our local community.” “Our school community is in mourning today," Mr O’Loughlin said in a statement on behalf of the school.

“No words can express our sorrow, pain, and grief,” he added.

Loreto School Principal Anne McGrath said: “Today our Loreto school community and the town of Clonmel are coming to terms with the shocking news.

“We are mourning the loss of our Leaving Certificate student Nicole Murphy, who lost her life in yesterday's tragic accident.

“We also remember the two students Zoey Coffey and Grace McSweeney and her brother Luke.

“Nicole achieved excellent Leaving Certificate results yesterday and was looking forward with excitement to starting the next phase of her young life.

“Yesterday’s celebrations are now replaced by unbearable grief and a sense of loss for the whole local community.

“No words can express our sorrow, pain and grief.

“Nicole was a beautiful student, highly regarded by staff and students alike.

“During her time in Loreto, she developed into a young woman who was kind, gentle and witty, and she was a trusted and loyal friend.” 

Grace McSweeney, 18, Zoe Coffey, 18, Nicole Murphy, 18, and Luke McSweeney, 24, who died in a crash in Clonmel on Friday. Pictures: Garda Info

Mr O’Loughlin also described Zoey and Grace as “two beautiful students”, who he said were “loved by everyone who met them and achieved such excellent results on Friday”.

He added: “Both girls were absolutely thrilled with their results and were looking forward to new, exciting times ahead.” He then paid tribute to each girl, saying:

“Grace was a gentle and kind person. She was thoughtful, considerate, and hard working.

“Grace was a gifted gymnast and dancer, and a very good student who had a positive impact on everyone she encountered.

“Zoey’s personality was warm and vibrant. She was funny, kind and determined.

“Zoey was a diligent worker and was very popular with her peers and her teachers. She was central in all aspects of school life in Presentation.” Staff, students, and members of the Board of Management of Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel are devastated by this terrible news, he said.

“We want to express our sincere sympathy to the Coffey/Fraher, McSweeney and Murphy families.” Ms McGrath added that everyone at Loreto is also thinking of Nicole's parents Serena and Declan, her older sister Zoe, also a past pupil, her brother Ryan, her extended family and her close friends.

“We keep all of them in our thoughts and prayers,” she said.

“All Clonmel secondary schools are receiving support from psychologists to help us to manage our response to the needs of our school community.

“The schools have been open all day to our students for themselves and their families for support and guidance.”