Girl, 3, killed after being hit by car described as 'bright star' at funeral

04 September 2023 , 14:59

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Rosaleen McDonagh's funeral took place today (Image: PA Wire)

The funeral for a three-year-old girl who was tragically killed when she was hit by a car has heard the youngster described as a "bright star".

Little Rosaleen McDonagh, known as Rosie, was struck in Co Laois, Ireland last week. Today, a sea of mourners, including family and friends, congregated at St Peter and Paul's church in Portlaoise to bid their final goodbyes. Many attendees wore white T-shirts adorned with pictures of the youngster, while others donned pink-coloured attire in her memory.

Parish priest Fr John Byrne extended his heartfelt condolences to Rosie's grieving parents Bernard and Victoria, her brother Bernie, and sisters Julia, Valerie, Priscilla, and Jolene. He also acknowledged the profound loss experienced by her grandparents and great grandparents.

Fr Byrne referred to Rosie's "tragic and sudden passing" and described the funeral as a "great day of loss and pain". He comforted the family by saying, "She was a bright star among you and remember all the love that she showed to her parents and grandparents and great grandparents, that love lives on and Rosie is still united with you in heaven." A poignant poem read out during the service painted Rosie as a "beautiful little angel" with eyes as bright as diamonds who cherished her family dearly.

Little Rosie's white coffin (PA Wire)

Following the funeral, the young girl's white coffin was carried away from the church in a horse-drawn white carriage. The coffin was taken on for burial at St Joseph's cemetery in Mountmellick. The death of Rosie came in a seven-day period that saw 12 people lose their lives on Ireland's roads. Seven of those were killed in two crashes, both in Co Tipperary.

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As of Sunday evening, 127 had died on the roads in 2023 a rise of 23 on the same period last year.

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