M9 Tragedy: A Mother's Apology and a Priest's Plea to Stop the Carnage
In a heart-wrenching funeral in Athy, Co Kildare, the mother of one of the five teenagers killed in the M9 crash has publicly apologised to the family left fighting for their lives, while a priest made a direct plea to the young mourners: stop the criminality before more lives are lost.
Jack Kennedy, 17, was a passenger in a BMW driving the wrong way on the motorway in the early hours of August 16 when it collided head-on with a car carrying three sisters and a young boy. The family were on their way to Dublin Airport for a wedding in England. Kennedy, along with Joey Carthy (15), Jeremy O'Brien (18), Alex McCarthy (17), and Kamil Pustkowski (17), died instantly near Moone, Co Kildare.
The occupants of the other car, Carlow women Niamh and Alma Kinsella, both in their 30s, and Ella Hendricken, in her 20s, remain in a serious condition. Alma's young son is also seriously injured.
A Priest's Direct Appeal to Jack's Friends
At the funeral in St Michael's church, Canon Frank McEvoy turned to the congregation and addressed Jack's friends directly. 'There's something I want to say, especially to Jack's friends. If you're considering continuing this criminal activity, will you please stop? We just want it to stop, because this is the end,' he said.
He urged them to think of the consequences for themselves, their families, and their communities, as well as for 'the people who are in hospital trying to recover'. His words were simple and stark: 'There is no need for it, so again I'll say please, please, please stop.'
Words Can Hurt, Actions Can Heal
Canon McEvoy also addressed the anger that has simmered on social media since the crash. 'Words can hurt, and words have the power to heal. It's also true of actions. Our actions can hurt people, and our actions can heal people,' he said. 'In all those situations, we're responsible for the words that we use, and above all, we're responsible for the actions that we take.'
He described the parish's mood as 'one of shock, confusion, disbelief, and above all, anger'. He warned that anger is a dangerous emotion that can curdle and spread. 'When you watch social media and you watch the responses and you hear what people are saying, that's the result of bad actions and very often, then, in all of that, there's so much hurt created for the family.'
'Sarah put it so well, she doesn't wish any of you to walk in her shoes, to have to bury her son. There's no great future in all of that.'
A Mother's Forgiveness and a Plea for Recovery
Jack's mother, Sarah, and his sisters, Keeleigh and Sarahkate, spoke of their love and their promise to keep his memory alive. Sarah first sent condolences to the families of the other teens, then offered her 'deepest heartfelt apologies' and prayers to the victims in the second car. 'You are in our thoughts and in our prayers, and we pray to God you will all make a full recovery,' she said.
She then addressed the harsh comments posted online about the boys, saying she had decided to forgive them. 'Not one of you has walked in my shoes and I pray to God that none of you will. No one should have to bury their child,' she said.
'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 they all rest in peace.'
A Community in Mourning, a Nation Reflecting
Jack's coffin, draped in the Tricolour, was carried in a black carriage drawn by two black horses. A visible garda presence, including the Armed Support Unit, was seen around the town. The service opened with Bruno Mars' 'Just The Way You Are' and closed with Snoop Dogg's 'Young, Wild and Free'. Symbols of his life, a fishing rod, a model car, a dog collar, a PlayStation game, and his teddy bears, were brought to the altar.
The funerals of the other four teens have taken place across the country. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page for the injured sisters has raised more than €768,000, a testament to the public's desire to help in the face of such senseless loss.
FAQ: Understanding the M9 Crash and Its Aftermath
What caused the M9 crash that killed five teenagers?
The crash occurred when a BMW carrying five teenagers drove the wrong way along the M9 motorway and collided head-on with another car near Moone, Co Kildare, in the early hours of August 16, 2026. All five teens were killed instantly.
Who were the victims in the other car?
The other car carried three sisters from Carlow, Niamh and Alma Kinsella, both in their 30s, and Ella Hendricken, in her 20s, along with Alma's young son. All four remain in serious condition in hospital.
What was the priest's message at Jack Kennedy's funeral?
Canon Frank McEvoy made a direct plea to Jack's friends to stop engaging in criminal activity, saying 'please, please, please stop' and warning of the consequences for themselves, their families, and innocent victims.
How has the public responded to the tragedy?
A GoFundMe page set up for the injured sisters has raised over €768,000, reflecting widespread public sympathy and a desire to support the victims' recovery.