WATCH: Final funeral takes place for Clonmel collision victims

A PINK coffin, decorated with floral prints was what Zoey Coffey, a victim of the Clonmel car collision, was laid to rest in on Saturday, September 2.

Having received her CAO offer yesterday, Zoey got her number one choice as a teacher based on her Leaving Certificate results, which she received on the day she passed away.

Zoey lost her life along with three others - Grace and Luke McSweeney, as well as Nicole Murphy, due to a tragic car collision. All girls were 18-years-old, while Luke was 24. 

An Garda Síochána wore pink bows, along with Zoeys colleagues in McCauleys pharmacy where she used to work in Poppyfield centre, Clonmel, while hundreds of other mourners wore shades of pink, to symbolise Chloe’s favourite colour. 

The sun shone through as soon as Zoey Coffey’s funeral mass began and concluded. Fr Michael Toomey, school chaplain priest, also wore a pink robe for the ceremony: “This is not pink - it is rose coloured, which is worn throughout the church year. 

“The colour rose gives us joy and a promise of hope when the darkest and hardest of days come upon us.  Our whole town and community are in need of both joy and hope after these last few difficult days,” Fr Toomey said.

Over 10 priests attended each of the three ceremonies over the three days, as well as appearances from President Higgins and Minister for Education, Norma Foley.

“If you were to get up early tomorrow and witness the sunrise, the sky would be marked with a beautiful hue of rose and you would know that the sun is not far behind.

“As Christians, this gives us great hope in these last tragic and unimaginable days here in Clonmel, in Kilsheelan, and Kilcash – indeed the whole country and around the world.”

On Friday, September 1, just one week after the fatal collision, siblings Grace and Luke were buried side-by-side. Nicole was first to be laid to rest on Thursday, August 31 in Kilcash, Tipperary.