Large crowds of mourners gathered in Our Lady of Nativity Church in Leixlip, Co Kildare, last night for the removal of the two teenagers killed at Louisa Bridge on Wednesday night.
Jenny O'Reilly (15) and David English (17) were killed when they were hit by the Sligo-Dublin train at about 9.10 p.m.
The removals were conducted by Father Pat McHugh and Father Rossa Doyle. The families and friends of the teenagers were urged to turn to Jesus and the words of the Gospel at this time.
"Don't let your heart be troubled. Trust in God and follow Jesus, especially in the days to come," Father McHugh said. The tragedy had united the parishioners in their grief, he said. "It has brought us all together, especially young school friends and their parents. Every parent knows about the constant concern and worry once children have left the house, but you have to let them go".
The driver of the train was also remembered in the ceremonies. According to an Iarnrod Eireann spokesman, the driver is "coping as well as possible under very difficult circumstances".
At both removals, a guard of honour was formed by the students of Colaiste Chiarain, the school which the teenagers attended.
David English's funeral will take place at 11 a.m. this morning, and Jenny O'Reilly's funeral will take place at 1 p.m.
Meanwhile, gardai and Iarnrod Eireann officials are continuing their investigation into the accident. While there is no official explanation yet, it is understood that one of the couple stumbled and the other had tried to help.
According to the Iarnrod Eireann spokesman, the train driver sounded his horn and applied his brakes as soon as he saw the couple but he could not stop in time. The train was not travelling at full speed at the time, due to several bends in the track approaching Leixlip.
David English and Jenny O'Reilly had been out with a group of friends on Wednesday evening. The Louisa Bridge and Confey train stations in Leixlip border the Royal Canal, and the area is a popular meeting-place for teenagers from the village.
Gardai have appealed for anyone who was in the area and may have seen what happened to contact them at Lucan Garda Station. Tel: 01-6667300.
