Thousands of people gathered in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, to remember the four victims of a road crash on Friday night. 

The vigil began at 6.30pm at Kickham Barracks Plaza. 

18-year-olds Grace McSweeney, Zoey Coffey and Nicole Murphy and Grace’s 24-year-old brother Luke McSweeney died in a single-vehicle crash on Mountain Road on Friday night. 

The three girls had received their Leaving Cert results earlier that day and were being driven to a celebration by Luke when the crash happened.

Speaking at the vigil, local chaplain Father Michael Toomey said this is an occasion where "where no words actually seem appropriate" amid "sadness and desolation".

"Particularly young people here tonight, I say the grieving process that many of you are experiencing, you’re probably going through shock or pain or denial," he said.

"I've spoken to many parents today and they worry about you young people... when you have the privilege of being parents yourselves in the future, you will know exactly what they're going through as well."

The vigil in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, in memory of the four crash victims who died on Friday, August 25th, 27/08/2023. Image: Aoife Kearns for Newstalk

Fr Toomey said the community will never get over the deaths of these young victims - but through supporting one another, they will "learn to live with it".

"It will become part of us," he said. "It will make us stronger when we grieve properly.

"Talk to your friends, to those in need, beside you. We the people of Clonmel look out for one another."

Clonmel Mayor Richie Molloy said the vigil was organised to allow the community to “show their solidarity with the families of the four victims”. 

“[It’s] probably the biggest tragedy that ever occurred in this town in my living memory,” he said. 

Pupils from the class of 2023 from Clonmel Presentation Secondary School, attend a vigil in Kickham Plaza, Co Tipperary, in memory of the four crash victims, 27/08/2023. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan said he felt "helpless" when his own brother and sister died, but he found consolation through support from friends and family.

"It’s amazing to see so many of you here, consoling one another, being together, standing in solidarity," he said.

"There's a strength in that, there's a goodness in that."

The vigil concluded with the song 'Rise Up' by Andra Day.

Flowers have also been left at the spot on Mountain Road in Clonmel where the crash happened.

Flowers left near the scene of the over turned car on the Mountain Road in Clonmel Co Tipperary, where four young people, including two siblings died, 26/08/2023. Image: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Reporting by Aoife Kearns.