Poignant IRVA ceremony unfolds as nation mourns Louth crash victims

It was cruelly ironic that on Sunday morning, as the annual commemoration events organised by the Irish Road Victims Association (IRVA) got underway, the nation was reeling at the horrific news that five young people had been killed in a traffic accident in Co Louth the previous evening.

The tragedy added not just to the poignancy of the IRVA events at Bloomfield House Hotel, but bolstered the message that there are too many accidents, and that each one leaves countless people devastated.

The event brought together bereaved families, survivors of road collisions, emergency services, public representatives, and members of the public from the Midlands and from across Ireland, including Cork, Dublin, the Curragh, Donegal and Portlaoise.

The master of ceremonies for Sunday’s event was retired RSM Noel O’Callaghan, who recounted how the day featured a walk of remembrance led by ex-Defence Forces piper Dave Kelly. At the end of the symbolic walk, the Mullingar Gospel Choir, which performed a number of times over the course of the day’s ceremonies, greeted participants with the poignant Eric Clapton song Holy Mother.

A number of doves were released by members of the ambulance service, the Gardaí, the fire brigade, Civil Defence, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and family members.

Once inside, the formal ceremony opened. Attendees placed photos and candles on the “remembrance table”, and there were a number of musical performances by Frank Byrne, Tally O’Flynn, Paul Whelan, Finbar Coady and John Smyth. John Maher, accompanied by his daughters Aisling and Sinéad, performed Remember Me in memory of his son Jonathan; Dave Gibbons recited Not Enough Time in memory of his dad, James.

Catherine Flaherty recited You Were Ours by Karin Pritzel, in memory of her sister Delia; Jason Patton recited For Everyone Remembering by Brendan Martin in memory of his brother Shane.

A blessing in memory of those who have died or were injured on the roads was offered by Fr Sean McDermott and Canon Ian Horner.

A section of the day’s ceremonies was dedicated to the emergency services, and Mr O’Callaghan acknowledged those who so regularly put their own lives at risk helping others. The Fireman’s Prayer was read by sub-station officer Rody Corbett; the Policeman’s Prayer by Garda Fiona Walsh; a prayer for the ambulance service by Sharon Kearney on behalf of the National Ambulance Service; and Diane, representing the RSA, read the Motorist’s Prayer.

As proceedings moved toward their closing stages, Tony Smith recited a poem in memory of his son Anthony; Colette Griffin recited Road Traffic Collision by Airman Michael Whelan; Joan Garvey spoke of the loss of her young son David; and IRVA president Donna Price addressed the gathering before a presentation was made to the Gardaí, fire service, ambulance service and the Road Safety Authority.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Catriona Gunne spoke on behalf of An Garda Síochána, and later invited onto the stage were Seán Canney TD, Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport; MEP Ciarán Mullooly; and Seamus Boland, recently elected president of the European Economic and Social Committee.