Mayo LGFA club offers message of support to teammate seriously injured in M9 collision

A MAYO LGFA club has paid tribute to one of four family members from Carlow who were seriously injured in a tragic collision on the M9 in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Originally from the Bennekerry area and later of Graiguecullen, Niamh Kinsella, who is aged in her 30s, has been a member of Claremorris LGFA club in County Mayo for a number of years and currently plays for their junior team.

Niamh, along with her sisters Alma, who is aged in her 30s, and Ella Hendricken, who is aged in her 20s, and her seven-year-old nephew Yemi, were seriously injured after the vehicle they were travelling in was struck by a black BMW travelling in the wrong direction on the M9.

The five teenage occupants of the BMW died in the collision.

In a post on Facebook, Claremorris LGFA said: “Everyone at Claremorris LGFA is thinking of our friend and junior teammate Niamh Kinsella, her sisters Ella and Alma and her nephew, who were involved in a serious car accident over the weekend.” 

The post continued: “Since joining the club, Niamh slotted in seamlessly and is a valued member of the club and a brilliant teammate. We’re sending all our love, strength and support to them at this incredibly difficult time and in the days and weeks ahead. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.” 

Alma and Niamh, who were travelling in the front of the car, remain in critical condition at Tallaght University Hospital, while Ella is being treated for serious injuries at St Vincent’s Hospital.

It is understood that Yemi is being treated for serious leg injuries at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family through their recovery. Since it was put online on Tuesday, it has raised more than €580,000 from around 20,000 donations.

The GoFundMe was set up by Bryan Curley, a close friend of Ella’s, who said it has been an “incredibly difficult and frightening time” for the women and their family.

“They are facing a long and challenging road ahead, and right now, I ask that you keep them all in your thoughts and prayers. All funds are going directly to the family,” he wrote on the donation page.

A prayer vigil for the family is being held tomorrow (Friday) at 6.30pm in St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland earlier today, parish priest of Graiguecullen/Killeshin Fr John Dunphy said the vigil will be an opportunity for the community “to show their support to the young ladies and the young boy and their families.” 

“We’ve been praying at all masses since the news broke on Sunday morning, as has every other parish in Ireland,” Fr Dunphy said. 

“The road will be long ahead and, praise God, they will get there soon.” For more information on the fundraiser, or to make a donation, visit: https://gofund.me/54a69783c