The survivor of a collision with a train that killed her aunt attended the funeral on crutches on Monday as prayers were said for both women.
Broken-hearted mourners heard “adored mother” Jessica McLoughlin, 40, loved her four children and left behind a lifetime of “fond memories”.
Jess died tragically five days ago at the side of rail tracks in Sligo while her injured niece Rebecca, 25, held her in her arms.
Emotional scenes unfolded on Monday morning at their hometown church St Anne’s in Cranmore, Sligo, as mourners wept for Jessica at the requiem Mass, just days after the horrific train collision.
Her devastated children Ryan, Kyle, Megan and Alisha were comforted by their mum’s heartbroken loved ones, including her siblings Denis, Pat, Michelle, Graham, Jessica’s twin brother Jason, and Jessica’s sister Dervilla, who is the mum of train collision survivor Rebecca.
A single white framed photo of Jess was on her coffin, while a second photograph of the mum-of-four and her children was placed at the altar.
Prayers were said for Jessica and Rebecca, who was also remembered in the Prayers of the Faithful. The Mass celebrant described Jessica’s death as the result of a “tragic accident” and said: “We pray for those here in St Anne’s and those who are unable to be here because of their grief and sadness.
“Wednesday’s accident has shocked our community.” The St Anne’s priest added: “Rebecca, we welcome you to this Mass. We give thanks that you’re recovering so well.
“We have been touched by your comments in the media and we pray continuously for you after the trauma that you have been through.”
He also prayed for the emergency services, hospital staff, the train driver, and all affected Irish Rail employees. The family said in a death notice that Jessica, who was predeceased by her parents Peter and Annie, died “suddenly, following an accident”.
Jessica’s brother Graham said in tribute: “We are all saddened at the sudden and untimely passing of a much-loved sister, twin, mother, niece, aunty, cousin, and friend Jessica.”
He added: “We would like to express our well wishes to all who witnessed and were impacted by this terrible incident. In particular, we are thinking of the train driver. We are sorry that you are facing this burden through no fault of your own.”
Graham continued: “There are many words we could use to describe you Jessica. Beautiful, with a smile that could light up any room.
“You had a hearty laugh that could put you in the best of moods. Funny, with a hint of crazy. The fond memories that you have left behind will stay with us for ever.”
His sister Jessica and niece Rebecca were hit by Irish Rail’s Sligo to Dublin train at Ballisodare in Sligo around 4pm last Wednesday, June 14. They were walking the line when tragedy occurred, having earlier got off four kilometres away at Collooney Railway Station.
Floral tributes have been paid to Jessica near the crash site since the tragic death of Jessica, who turned 40 in January. Jessica’s cousin Edward said the children’s father is “caring for them now”.
He said that Jess and Rebecca “were inseparable” and “always together” for “concerts and going on holidays”. He added: “They were like sisters more than an aunt and niece really.”
The train with over 100 passengers on board was stopped for hours following the tragedy as emergency services and gardai arrived at the scene.
Jessica’s body remained there while Rebecca was airlifted to Sligo University Hospital. Rebecca posted an online tribute to her aunt from her hospital bed a day after the collision. She wrote: “Rest in peace my beautiful aunty, I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. You were one in a million.”
Rebecca revealed before Monday's Mass the last moments and dying words of her aunt Jess. Injured Rebecca said: “We were just off the track and when we saw the train coming, we tried to jump away from it.
“I tried to pull her away. The two of us ducked to the side of the train and that is when we got hit by the side of the train.” She added: “Jessica said to me. ‘Please, Rebecca, look after my four kids. Don’t let them forget me’.”
Gardai launched an investigation to examine the circumstances of the collision while Irish Rail and the Railway Accident Investigation Unit also initiated inquiries.
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