The family of a young sister and brother who died in a car fire have told how the "memories" they left behind in their short lives will ensure they will be with them "forever."
Thelma Dennany, five, and her two-year-old brother Michael were brought to St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford for their funeral mass in a double white coffin on Thursday.
The siblings - described as "inseparable" - lost their lives after the car fire on Friday evening at Lacken near Multyfarnham in Co Westmeath.
Read more: Gardai seek video footage of Westmeath area where car fire killed two children
The children's heartbroken father Michael, sister Katelyn and brother Eddie were comforted by relatives throughout the ceremony, with hundreds in attendance. Mum Lynn Egar, who survived the fire, was not at the service as she continues to recover in hospital.
In a family statement read out at the funeral on behalf of the family, it said: "We the family would like to thank everyone in helping us say farewell to Thelma and Mikey.
"We use farewell because with the memories they've left us in their short lives and their infectious smiles, they will be with us forever. Your heartfelt sympathy and offers of help have touched us greatly at this very difficult time. Once again we thank you all."
The funeral cortege made its way to the church from Glennon’s Funeral Home in Longford just before 11am. Some mourners sympathised with the family, with one carrying floral tributes of a tractor and a unicorn in memory of the two kids. In a double white coffin, their remains were carried into the church before the service got under way.
Artwork by Thelma, which she had completed last Friday before the tragedy, was brought forward by her teacher at Saint Cremin’s national school, Multyfarnham, Joan Hickson. A collage made by pupils to remember Thelma was also brought up to the altar.
Niamh Anderson from Mikey's preschool in Toddlers and Waddlers in Rathowen presented artwork from the "creative" young boy. The pair's aunt Aline Fitzgerald and uncle John Dennany brought forward the children's fishing rods which they had planned to use in lakes in the near future but never got the chance.
Read more: Suspect emerges in Westmeath car fire investigation
Fr Sean Casey, Parish Priest of Killoe, told how the children's lives were "so tragically cut short in the full bloom and promise of childhood." And he said: "Thelma and Mikey were vibrant children. They were inseparable in life. In the words of their dad Michael – the only thing that separated them was school as they went their separate ways each morning."
The priest told mourners how Thelma went to dancing classes and football training where Mikey always came to watch her from the sideline. And on the Saturday before their deaths, he had joined her on the pitch for the first time.
The priest continued: "They loved to run and laugh, feel the wind in their hair and to pick wild flowers. They looked forward to trying out their fishing rods. They are together now exploring the highways and byways of Heaven. Thelma and Mikey will remain forever young in the hearts of their parents and brother and sister."
Fr Casey recalled how he had the honour of baptising both Thelma and Mikey, before adding: "As their Dad so aptly put it, 'Of bringing them into the Church”.
Tom Healy, Diocesan Administrator for Ardagh and Clonmacnois, also extended his sympathies to the grieving family. He said: "We are deeply saddened at the death of these two young beautiful children. The photographs of their smiling faces speak to us of two bundles of joy who were loved and cherished and who no doubt filled the lives of their families and friends with vibrancy, laughter and love.
"We know that your loss is very deep. We ask God to shed his light upon this time of darkness and to give you comfort, hope and strength to face the future."
At the end of the mass, those in attendance paid their sympathies with the family who were on the front row of the church. The coffin was then carried out as the children were brought to Cullyfad Cemetery to be buried.
Last Friday, a passerby came upon the blaze and pulled mum Lynn and the kids from the burning vehicle. Michael was pronounced dead at the scene while Thelma lost her life in the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Mum Lynn survived the horror blaze and continues to be treated in hospital. Gardai are conducting a murder investigation as they suspect the car was set on fire deliberately.
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