Best friends killed in school prom crash were 'holding hands' in last moment
Two "best pals" killed in a crash on the way to their school prom held hands during their poignant last moments, their funerals today heard.
Tributes have poured in for Kiea McCann, 17, and Dlava Mohamed, 16, since the horror smash as the girls travelled to their Debs ball in County Monaghan, Ireland on Monday evening. A funeral mass for Kiea was held at the Sacred Heart Chapel in Clones at 2pm today and she was laid to rest in nearby Mount St Oliver's Cemetery. Dlava's service at the Clonskeagh Mosque and Culture Centre in Dublin, and then Newcastle Muslim Cemetery followed Islamic tradition as she was washed and shrouded in five pieces of white cloth.
Photographs show scores of people walk behind hearses on streets in Clones and the surrounding areas as the processions made their way to the religious buildings. Mourners gathered to pay their respects to both girls, described as "best pals" by friends and family.
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Dlava Mohamed into the Islamic Cultural Centre in Dublin, for her funeral today (PA)The principal of the two teenagers' secondary school said the two girls had a strong friendship since Dlava's family arrived in Clones as part of a resettlement programme for Syrians.
Largy College principal Sharon Magennis described Dlava, who had just completed her Junior Cert exam, as "always very happy" and "bubbly", and Kiea as "pleasant and courteous" and who had hoped to go on to study childcare. The school community has been overcome with grief and the Clones community is said to be in shock after the tragedy.
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The hands of the two best friends were touching at the scene of the accident, Father John Chester, leading the funeral mass for Kiea told mourners. He also described Kiea’s father Franky’s frantic actions as he arrived at the scene of the crash and performed CPR on his daughter and her “soul friend” Dlava.
The funeral procession of Kiea McCann makes its way to the Sacred Heart Chapel in Clones, Co. Monaghan (PA)
Kiea's coffin is carried into the chapel as friends and family gather to their respects (PA)The hands of the two girls touching as though they knew they were off to heaven together. No father should have to witness such a terrible scene,” Fr Chester said at the ceremony.
Describing how the deaths "shocked and saddened the nation", Fr Chester went on to hold a moment's silent reflection for the youngsters.
The prayer service for Dlava, meanwhile, heard the fatal crash in which she died "shook the entire Muslim community and the entire people of Ireland". Sheikh Hussein Halawa said: "I would like to my offer sincere condolences to the father, mother and all family members."
Dlava Mohamed died alongside pal Kiea McCann when the car they were in crashed
The school principal said the two teens were best pals after Dlava arrived in Dublin as part of a resettlement programme from her native Syria (Irish Mirror)Speaking outside the family home after the tragedy, Dlava’s brother Rashid Mohamed said: "I’m just confused. I don’t know what to do, how to feel. Because this is my first time losing someone this close in my life. Everybody is speechless. They don’t know what to do or what to say... It’s hard to say anything, there’s a lot of memories."
Describing sadness in relation to Kiea's passing, Mr Mohamed said: "She was my best friend. She was in our house every day – she was like a sister to me. I’ve lost two sisters, and one in the hospital."
A bouquet of roses had been left. on the steps up to the Mohamed's family door by the time Mr Mohamed shared his sorrow.
In a showing of respect and support, hundreds of locals formed a guard of honour in Clones as the two teenagers' remains were brought back to their family homes.
Hundreds became united for one of the funeral processions today (PA)People wept and comforted each other as the hearse carrying Kiea's remains arrived in the town on Tuesday night, pausing for a moment outside Dlava's home.
Women stood in the doorway of Dlava's family home and sang a lament as her remains were brought into the house on Wednesday evening.
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The victims' families are said to be "hugely devastated" and suffering from shock and trauma after attending the scene in the aftermath of the crash. Three other occupants of the car were also injured after the vehicle veered off the N54 and into a tree, just outside Clones, on Monday at 6.45pm.
Communities have been overcome with grief since the deaths (PA)Her death notice read that her "untimely death" occurred "alongside her best friend Dlava Mohamed", and that she is predeceased by her brother Jason.
"Kiea will be forever missed and always loved by her mum Teresa, her father Franky, her brothers and sisters; Brandon, Jentzen, Frankie, Michaela, Shauna, Shaunice, Tameaka, Tanisha, Amelia and her wide circle of best friends and family," the notice read.
"Kiea will also be missed by her heartbroken grandmothers Mary Ellen Mc Cann and Anna Rose Flynn, her two nephews Tadhg and Liam, her uncles and aunts, cousins and friends."
Kiea pictured with Oisin Clerkin, who was in the car but survived (Facebook)It added: “Dlava will be sadly missed by her brothers Mostafa and Rashid and her sisters Lilov, Asmahan, Auin and Giham. Dlava will also be sorely missed by her wide circle of family and friends.”
An 18-year-old woman is in a critical but stable condition at Cavan General Hospital, while a 60-year-old man remains in a critical condition at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital. An 18-year-old man also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
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