Priest who anointed injured at the scene of Clondalkin church crash calls for prayer

A parish priest who anointed injured mourners immediately after they were struck by a car driven by a visiting priest has called for prayer for those recovering.

Several people were injured, some severely, in the incident which occurred at about 10.20am on Monday at Mary Immaculate Church in Clondalkin, Co. Dublin.

People were gathered from across Ireland to attend a funeral Mass when PP Fr Damian Farnon “heard a commotion outside”.

“A lady came in to say that one of the people was quite sick and would I come to anoint the person. So I did,” Fr Damian told The Irish Catholic. He anointed several people at the scene adding “there was no unnecessary panic, so from that point of view it was good”.

He added that the incident was compounded because it was a warm day and people were standing outside.

Retired curate Fr Denis Foley (89) is believed to have fallen ill at the wheel, which led to six people including the priest being seriously injured and brought to hospitals across the capital. He hailed from Walkinstown parish, where the late David Breach – whose funeral people were attending – grew up.

Witnesses at the scene said a number of men tried to lift the car off people who were trapped underneath, but were not able to.

Maurice McNulty, who was a few metres away, said: “The place was littered with people on the ground. I said you’d want to send down about half a dozen ambulances, it was frightening.”

The injuries include broken bones and a suspected punctured lung.

Shock

Fr Damian praised the parish team for inviting people into the church and offering tea and coffee to those who were “in shock”, but particularly congratulated the emergency services.

“We’re remembering all the injured in our Mass and prayer during the week and also praying for the emergency services who attended and cared for the injured on Monday, and I suppose never take them or their work for granted, to appreciate all they do in what can be for them challenging situations as well,” he said.

The church was closed immediately after the funeral Mass, but was re-opened the following day.