Community in shock as teenage girl tragically dies at Belfast music festival

There is a sense of profound shock in Carrick-on-Suir at the tragic loss of the young life of a teenage girl who passed away after becoming unwell at a music festival in Belfast.

Mia Keevan was at the Emerge music festival on Sunday last when she became ill. The PSNI confirmed that the teenager became ill  in the Boucher Playing Fields.

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A friend of the family, Sarah Roche, has set up a GoFundMe page to support the family cover the funeral costs.

Donations have been made to the GoFundMe page which states that Sarah was  “A bright, fun and much loved girl who touched the hearts of anyone that knew her. Mia was such an outgoing person and lit up everyone room she walked into.

“Her laughter and warmth will never be forgotten by those lucky enough to have known her. At this difficult time we are coming together to support Mia’s family with the unexpected costs they face and to give them space to grieve without added financial worry. Any donation will make a difference and is deeply appreciated.”

So far the gofundme.com campaign has raised over E16,000

Tributes have been paid to the girl and her family.

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Cllr David Dunne said there was a huge sense of shock in the town at yet another tragedy.

“There is a huge shock in the town. It is a parents worst nightmare, no parent who sends their child off to a concert expects them not to come home,” said Cllr Dunne.

He said there was huge shock in the town as this tragedy came so quickly following the murder of Ian Walsh and the tragic death by drowning of another  young man in the town.

The RIP notice for Mia said she would be forever loved and sadly missed by her mother Debbie, sisters Kyah, Jade and Sophia also Philly who held a special place in her life; her grandparents Marie and Eddie, Angela and Noel, and Tonnie; her boyfriend Jack; sisters’ partners Jamie and Nathan; best friends Ella, Jayden and Keeley; aunts, uncles, extended family and her wide circle of friends.

She was predeceased by her father Alan and her aunt Jacinta. 

Mia will be reposing at Walsh's Funeral Home Carrick-on-Suir on Friday August 29, from 5pm to 6.30pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday at 10.30am in St Nicholas' Church followed by burial afterwards in St Mary's cemetery.

Family have requested that mourners attending Mia's Funeral to wear Light/Bright coloured clothing.