Andrew Carey
A SISTER paid poignant tribute to her 15-year-old sibling’s perfect hair, immaculate clothes and a friendship kindled on love.
Addressing mourners at St Munchin’s Church in Limerick on Monday, Marguerite Kinsella told them of how she will love her “forever young sister”.
Shortly afterwards, Chloe Kinsella – the young girl whose body was recovered from the River Shannon six days after she disappeared from her home – was laid to rest at Mount St Oliver cemetery next to her sister Sophie who died nine years ago.
Mourners were led by Chloe’s heartbroken parents Shirley and Kevin and their seven other children, Sonya, Kevin, Jonathan, Linsey, Marguerite, Brian and Darren.
In a ceremony that focused on advising teenagers that they should live life to the full, Rev Seaver, warned the largely school-going congregation about the dangers of underage drinking.
“We beg you. Start to reflect on how you might live life and live it to the full, in such a way that you will not cause pain and anguish to those who love you so much and in a way that will not do damage to yourselves.
Rev Seaver said the co-authors of his sermon were anxious not to “glamorise Chloe’s funeral service.”
Chloe’s death is tragic and it follows in the wake of two similar deaths of students of St Nessan’s during the summer holidays. We do not want any more tragedies. Life is for living, especially for 15-year-olds.”
Warning that there was a huge danger of “copycat situations”, Rev Seaver urged young people to act responsibly and respect parental tough love on alcohol.
“Of course, one thing that can do terrible damage to young people is alcohol. That is why it is forbidden to sell alcohol to anybody under 18. It damages young people physically and mentally and all the experts in developmental psychology tell us that teenagers do not need alcohol to live life to the full.”
“Their brains are full of natural stimulation. Alcohol deadens their vivaciousness and they end up hardly able to talk or think clearly and that is no way to live life to the full. ”
As the white coffin left the church, teenagers were left with one thought, one heartfelt plea in the wake of two similar deaths of students from St Nessan’s:
“We appeal to you young people – try and begin to appreciate God’s wonderful gift of life and live it to the full.”
