POIGNANT SCENES IN CLONES AND DUBLIN AS ROAD TRAGEDY VICTIMS LAID TO REST

Scenes of great poignancy surrounded the funerals in Clones and Dublin on Thursday last of the teenagers killed in a single vehicle road traffic accident on the N54 at Legnakelly the previous Monday. The funerals of 17-year-old Kiea McCann and 16-year-old Dlava Mohamed saw guards of honour provided by friends and Largy College classmates of the girls, who were described as “soul friends”.

A hearse carrying Dlava’s remains left Clones on Thursday morning and travelled to Clonskeagh Mosque in Dublin, where her funeral service was held. When it arrived, her body was washed and shrouded according to Islamic tradition in five pieces of white cloth. Her family then spent time with her in private until the funeral prayer, which began shortly before 2 pm. The service was led by Sheikh Hussein Halawa, who said the tragic accident “shook the entire Muslim community and the entire people of Ireland”.

Dr Ali Selim, of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland in Clonskeagh, described Dlava’s death as a tragedy, adding that he expected the community to fully support the family during this difficult time. ‘It’s a very sad day, especially when you think of the circumstances of the family,” he said. “They ran away from Syria because they didn’t feel safe, looking for protection, and unfortunately the place where they thought they would be safe, they were hit with this tragedy.” In the Muslim religion, Dr Selim said, death is seen as a “step in our trip to our Lord”. He offered his condolences to Dlava’s friends and family. Among the attendees were Deputy Principal of Largy College Michael Killen, Director of…