Hundreds of heartbroken mourners are expected to pack Cavan’s cathedral for the funeral of a young student who tragically lost her life in a traffic collision.
Ciara Lynch Ellis was only 21 when she was killed in a three-car smash on Wednesday morning.
The young woman, who was a student at Maynooth College, will be laid to rest tomorrow.
Ciara’s devastated parents Sinead and Paddy will lead the mourners with their children Patrick, Hannah and Jermaine at the Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Felim in Cavan town.
Her death notice states that Ciara died “suddenly and tragically” and the “beloved daughter” of Sinead and Paddy and “much loved sister of Patrick, Hannah and Jermaine” will be forever missed by them.
It adds: “Sadly missed by her heartbroken family, her nanny Kathleen Lynch, uncles, aunts, cousins, all her extended family and her wide circle of friends.”
Ciara’s remains will repose at her home in Pairc An Duin tomorrow from 3pm until 7pm with the house private to friends and family at all other times.
The funeral procession will leave Ciara’s family home tomorrow at 11.30am to go to the cathedral for 12pm funeral Mass with burial in St Brigid's Cemetery, Killygarry.
Mourners can join the funeral Mass on the cavantownparish.com website.
Ciara died at 5.20am on Wednesday when three cars collided near Butlersbridge in Co Cavan.
Cavan County Cllr Patricia Walsh is a family friend of the victim and told the Irish Mirror: “I would know the family very well. They are devastated.”
Gardai revealed that two other women, one aged in her 30s and the other in her 50s, were taken to Cavan General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Examinations by Garda forensic collision investigators were carried out at the scene.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Cavan Garda Station on 049 436 8800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.