Mum of teen killed in wrong-way M9 crash apologises to victims at funeral as priest speaks on community ‘anger’

JACK Kennedy’s mum apologised to the innocent family that was injured in the horrific wrong-way M9 crash at his funeral service today.

The 17-year-old is the fifth and final teenager to be laid to rest after the BMW they were travelling in drove down the wrong side of the M9 in Kildare and hit a family travelling in a Hyundai head-on.

Sisters Niamh and Alma Kinsella, 30s, younger sister Ella Hendricken, 20s, and Alma’s seven-year-old son Yemi all remain in hospital with serious injuries after their car was hit by the teens’ BMW.

Jack died at the scene alongside Joey Carthy, 15, Alex McCarthy, 16, Jeremy O’Brien, 18, and 17-year-old Kamil Pustkowski.

Mourners gathered at St Michael’s Parish Church in Athy this morning as Jack was laid to rest, with his mum Sarah telling those present that the five teenagers killed in the crash “made a bad choice”.

She said: “Firstly, we as a family want to send our deepest apologies to Joey, Alex, Jeremy and Kamil‘s families.

“Five young boys made a bad choice. Five young boys paid the ultimate price. Five families lost their babies. Five families got a life sentence. May you all rest in peace.

“Secondly, we all want to send our deepest, heartfelt apologies to the families who were injured.

“You are all in our thoughts and our prayers. We pray to God that you all make a full recovery.

“And once again, we are sorry.”

Sarah also hit out at those saying “hateful” things while the families of the teens “suffer the highest grief possible”, adding that she forgives them “because I have enough love, compassion, empathy and kindness”.

She continued: “Not one of you are walking in our shoes, and I pray to God none of you will. No one should have to bury their child. And for those who would not listen, start now.”

Paying tribute to her son Jack, Sarah told how her son was her “first true love”.

She said: “You were my world, and you still are. Remember when you were at your lowest, I told you about my love I have for you no matter what. I told you that.

“They say never forget your first true love, and I didn’t, until you came along.”

She added: “You are my boy, son. I love you more, love mummy.”

A horse-drawn carriage led the funeral cortege for Jack through Athy this morning, with some gardai station in the town ahead of the mass.

However, there was a smaller police presence than was seen at other services last week.

The teenager’s coffin was draped in an Irish flag and young men at the service wore t-shirts with his name emblazoned on the front.

Canon Frank McEvoy, who is a Team Assistant in the Parish of Athy and led the service, said the feeling in the parish after the crash was “one of shock” and “anger”.

He said: “Anger is a very dangerous emotion, and when it starts to curdle and get going in the community, anything can happen.

“When you watch social media and you watch the responses. When you hear what people are saying.

“That is the result of bad actions, and very often, then, in all of that, there is so much hurt created for family. Sarah put it so well. She doesn’t wish any of you to walk in her shoes to have to bury her son.”

Canon McEvoy also called for Jack’s friends and other young people to stop engaging in dangerous driving, warning them of the massive impact it can have.

He added: “The dust has settled, some part of the week has passed by. There is something I want to say, and especially to Jack’s friends.

“If you’re considering this criminal activity, will you please stop. Just one word, stop. Because this is the end of it, this is a family broken.

“And the consequences of that will happen to you too, to your families, the communities in which you live in and then you have the innocent victims, like the people who are in hospital trying to recover.

“There is no need for this again. So again I say to you please stop. I think Sarah (Jack’s mum) would say the same thing.”

Jack’s older sister described him as her “best friend” and “rock”, adding: “A part of me feels like it’s gone with you.

“A part of you will live with me forever. I promise I will carry you with the rest of my life. I can never thank you enough for all the support you’ve given me through tough times. As much as you needed me, I needed you.

“You were my rock when I needed one. You were my reason to keep going and I will forever be grateful for that. Our memories will stay with me forever. Your smile, your laugh were completely contagious.”

His younger sister said she “never thought I’d lose my brother like this”.

She continued: “I’d always think he’d die older or over something else. A car crash would never be the one thing I’d think Jack died of. And I don’t know, I’d just take anything back to see him.”

Young, Wild & Free by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa played as the coffin was taken from the chapel for a private cremation.