Groom, 20, dies in crash just hours before wedding as heartbroken fiancée vows ‘I love you forever’
A 20-YEAR-OLD groom was killed just hours before his wedding in a horror crash – with his heartbroken bride vowing “I’ll love you forever.”
Myles ‘Miley’ Harty, 20, died instantly when the car he was a front seat passenger in left the road and hit a pole, at around 1am, at Cragmore, on the Askeaton to Rathkeale Road in Limerick.
Myles, from Askeaton, Co Limerick, was due to marry Kate Quilligan at St Munchin’s Church in Limerick City today.
Instead, heartbroken Kate released balloons in his memory at the spot the couple were supposed to tie the knot.
Kate said the tragedy had turned what was supposed to be the best day of their lives into the worst.
She said: “I’m leaving off balloons at 3 o’clock today at St Munchins Church for my lovely husband because that’s where we all should be celebrating the best day of our life at that church but instead it’s the worst.
“I love you forever. It will always be me and you no matter what. I love you unconditionally my gentle giant, you didn’t deserve this my handsome baby boy.”
Ms Quilligan was supported by hundreds of family and friends, including those who should have been celebrating the couple’s wedding, as they mourned outside the church.
A sound system played music as dozens of blue heart-shaped balloons which read “King For A Day” and “20”, were released into the sky above the church grounds.
A teenager, who police believe was driving the car, was arrested at the scene.
A third man in the car, was taken to University Hospital Limerick with “non life-threatening” injuries.
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Fr Sean O’Longaigh, Askeaton Parish Priest, said Myles was well-known in his rural west Limerick community.
‘FROM WEDDING TO FUNERAL’
Fr O’Longaigh said: “It’s very sad for the families, they are now switching from a wedding to a funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, naturally.
“Myles was a young person who grew up locally, he went to the local school, he’d have an awful lot of relations around Askeaton. He was due to get married in Limerick today, yes, the family must be in bits.”
The wider Traveller community, of which Mr Harty was a member, has been plunged into deep sadness following Myles’ sudden death, with a number of friends and family paying tribute to the young man on social media.
One tribute read: “Every girl waits for that day their whole life. Can you imagine how excited you would be and then for it to be all taken away just like that?
Another said: “Can’t believe it. Rest in peace Miley. God be with you my friend. Nicest boy you could have met. Just one day before his wedding. Condolence to his family at this awful sad time.”
DEVASTATING FIREBALL
Meanwhile, Garda in Galway continue to work to identify all the victims who died in a devastating fireball smash in Ballinasloe.
However, it is understood that the extent of the injuries sustained has complicated the process.
The horrific three-car smash happened on Thursday evening on the M6 at Poolboy in Ballinasloe after a car allegedly drove the wrong way down a motorway.
It is believed a young child and its parents died, while the driver of another car was also killed in the crash – while another motorist, travelling in a third car, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Shortly after 7.30pm on Thursday, a car was seen driving towards oncoming traffic on the westbound carriageway of the M6.
It is thought the single-occupant vehicle travelled the wrong way down a slip road and onto the dual carriageway and collided head-on with a car carrying three people.
