Five-year-old Thelma Dennany and her two-year-old brother Mikey Dennany died in a car fire on a rural road in Lacken, Multyfarnham. Hundreds of people attended the funeral at St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford, ahead of the children’s burial at Cullyfad Cemetery. A white coffin carrying the bodies of both children stood at the top of the church as prayers were said for the youngsters’ “heartbroken” parents, Micheal Dennany and Lynn Egar and their brother and sister Eddie and Katelyn, as well as extended family and friends. Father Sean Casey, parish priest of Killoe, Co Longford, told those gathered that Thelma and Mikey were “lively” children. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has confirmed that the investigation into last Friday’s fatal fire is criminal in nature, but police have not released any further details. The car, which had not crashed, was discovered by a truck driver engulfed in flames with the mother and two children inside. Emergency services airlifted the mother, who remains in hospital. The fire is being treated as arson. Two Irish children who died in a car fire in Co Westmeath will be buried together in a single coffin, pictured. The brother and sister died in a car fire in Co Westmeath last week Father Michael Dennany (second right) stands next to the hearse carrying the coffin carrying his children’s remains Five-year-old Thelma, pictured right, and two-year-old Mikey Dennany, pictured left, died in a car fire in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath. Father Sean Casey, parish priest of Killoe, Co Longford, told those gathered that Thelma and Mikey were ‘lively’ children The priest described Thelma, who was a pupil at Saint Cremin’s National School in Multyfarnham, as a “lovely girl, always smiling”. She said her little brother Mikey was enrolled at Toddlers and Waddlers nursery school in Rathowen and they loved exploring together. Symbols of their lives were brought to the altar, including artwork and a collage from Thelma’s elementary school, Mikey’s preschool artwork and their fishing rods. During the speech, Father Casey said the children’s lives had been “tragically cut short”. “We gather to thank God for the gift of their lives – lives so tragically cut short in the full bloom and promise of childhood,” he said. “We pray for comfort and solace for their bereaved parents Michael and Lynn, and for their brother and sister Eddie and Caitlin, who are all overwhelmed with grief. “We remember Mary and Herbert’s devastated grandparents, aunts, uncles, relatives and friends at this time of trauma and distress.” Father Casey said there was a “special place in our hearts” for the children’s pre-school and school-age friends, as well as their carers and teachers. “Thelma and Mikey were vibrant children,” he told mourners. “They were inseparable in life. According to their dad, Michael, the only thing that kept them apart was school as they went to school separately every morning. “Thelma attended dance classes and soccer practice — Mikey always came to watch her practice from the sidelines. Flowers and photos are being taken to St Mel’s Cathedral, Longford, for the funeral of Mikey and Thelma Dennany Floral tributes are left from the hearse to the funeral home for the two brothers During the speech, Father Casey said the children’s lives had been “tragically cut short”. Father Casey said there was a “special place in our hearts” for the children’s nursery and school friends, as well as their guards and teachers as the coffin was carried Michael Dennany (centre) arrives at St Mel’s Cathedral, Longford, for his children’s funeral. Police said an investigation has been launched into their deaths “On Saturday last week, he took to the field for the first time to join her in the sport she loved. “They loved to run and laugh and feel the wind in their hair and pick wildflowers. They were eager to try their rods. He also told those gathered: “We don’t know how these tragedies happened, we know they were deeply loved.” Father Casey also read a message from the family, which said: “We as a family would like to thank everyone who helped us say goodbye to Thelma and Mikey. “We say goodbye because with the memories they left us in their short lives and their infectious smiles, they will be with us forever. “Your sincere sympathy and offers of help have touched us greatly at this very difficult time. Once again, thank you all.” Lynn Egar, aged 40, remains in hospital after a passer-by pulled her from the burning car, which burst into flames while on a country road in Lacken, Multyfarnham on Friday. Around 500 people attended the vigil in Multyfarnham village, which was attended by teachers, parents and children and members of the wider community. Some carried candles and framed photos of the victims (Thelma pictured right and Michael left) A criminal investigation into the children’s deaths has been launched by Gardai. We have in mind [the case] now as a crime investigation,” Harris said speaking in Galway last week, according to The Irish Times. Post-mortem examinations on the bodies of both children by state pathologist Dr Sally Ann Collis have been completed, but gardaí said they would not release the results for operational reasons. Ms Egar continues to be treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries in hospital. Police hope they will soon be able to provide information on how the car caught fire. Gardai have appealed for anyone with any information about the incident to contact them. He added that a Garda family liaison officer was continuing to keep the family informed. They are still appealing for anyone who was in the Lacken area between 2pm and 4pm on Friday and has any video footage to make available to the investigation team. Officers also urged anyone with information to contact Mullingar Garda Station on 044 9384000 or contact the Garda confidential line on 1800 666111 or any Garda station.
