Mourners bid their last goodbyes to a 15-year-old girl, Molly Dempsey, at her Requiem Mass. People will always remember Molly, who lived in Whitehall Park, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, for her lively character and infectious smile. Molly lost her life in a single-car accident last Sunday at 5am near Slaney Park, a short distance from her town, and was declared dead on site.
Pupils and companions from her high school, Scoil Chonglais, gave a guard of honour, many of whom honoured her memory by donning pink and white T-shirts, a curious contrast to the sombre atmosphere of the funeral on a sunny day. The congregation started assembling from 10.30 am at St Joseph’s Church in Baltinglass, situated on a hill above the town, for Molly’s funeral rites.
Pallbearers wearing themed tees carried a pink coffin marked “Moll,” into the church. Once inside, the casket was decorated with a floral garland of pink and white roses and lilies, accompanied by a cheerful photo of Molly.
The Dempsey family have experienced loss before, with Molly now being the third of nine siblings who have passed away. Molly’s two brothers, 13-year-old Roy and 18-year-old Kilian, passed away in different circumstances, with Kilian dying in Dublin.
Parish priest Gerard Ahern, who co-celebrated the Mass, described how three items symbolised Molly’s life. Ahern spoke of a family photo portraying Molly’s affection for her loved ones. A book by Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horses, symbolised her love of reading – a hobby she often shared with her nieces and nephews. The last item, a loudspeaker, represented Molly’s love for music which she often played loudly, as many neighbours could attest.
Father Ahern shared his reflections: “Molly’s untimely passing has cut short a life that promised much and we are left wondering what she could have become. Despite this tragic circumstance, we must remember the vibrant soul she was. Her deep love for animals, her infectious joy and musical talent would have surely blossomed into something extraordinary.
“Molly was not only christened in this very church, but I also had the privilege to confirm her here on August 21st, 2021. A unique aspect about Molly’s confirmation was her choice of a male saint’s name – Kilian. This was not a common occurrence but it bore a deep significance. The moniker belonged to Molly’s deceased brother and its choice served as her heartfelt tribute to him. His passing had a deep effect on her. This untimely event leaves us questioning our faith and the reasons behind such occurrences.
While we are congregated here today on this sorrowful day, it’s also incumbent upon us to commemorate Molly’s life and to express our gratitude to the Divine for the time we got to spend with her.
“Her life, though brief at just 15 years, shouldn’t have brought us here under such sombre circumstances. The despair, the sense of loss we all feel for her premature passing is palpable. We stand together, conscious of each other and especially her family – parents Nigel and Mary, siblings Laura, Charlie, Joe, Yvonne, Jake and Ella, grandmothers May and Dolly, and the wider family circle.”
The best support we can all provide in these trying times is our presence and our prayers. While words may fail us at times like these, we find solace in the shared pain and the eagerness to support in any way possible. Despite the short span of her life, Molly managed to create bountiful memories, ones that will be cherished forever.”
McKenzie, a dear friend of Molly, reminisced about Molly’s affection for horses, donkeys and dogs along with her delight in dance and resonant music, moving many to tears with his heartfelt eulogy.
Three family members shared their heartfelt sentiments about the significant impact Molly had on their lives. Following the memorial service, the young girl’s body was laid to rest in the cemetery of Baltinglass.
A young man, who was driving the car involved in the incident and remained unharmed, was taken into custody under suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act. He was held under the terms of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act of 1984 but was subsequently released.
The Gardaí has stated that their investigations are in progress and a report is currently being compiled for the purpose of being reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecitions.