Gemma Nolan’s life full of ‘many gifts’, funeral hears

Over 1,000 people filled to capacity the Holy Family Church, Askea, Carlow for the funeral of 19-year-old Gemma Nolan.

She was the second of the four victims of Tuesday's crash near Athy, Co Kildare, whose funerals were held. Earlier, mourners bade tearfull farewell to 20-year-old Chermaine Carroll.

Gemma’s life had been one “full of so many, many gifts”, Fr Tom Little told mourners for whom there was standing room only inside the large church. She had brought nothing but “happiness and brightness” into her parents’, Jim and Josephine’s, home.

Tearful prayers were said by friends, former pupils of St Leo's College in Carlow, where the four had met, and for the driver of their car, Dayna Kearney, who is recovering in hospital.

Gemma is to be interred at nearby St Mary’s cemetery.

Earlier, a few kilometers away in St Mary's at Bennekerry the funeral of 20-year-old Chermaine Carroll heard she was a bright and bubbly person . The funerals of the other victims, Niamh Doyle and Aishling Middleton, both aged 19, are due to take place on Saturday.