Lauren to be laid to rest
The funeral of a 13 year old girl who died during a motor racing event in Cork at the weekend will take place tomorrow, Friday.
Lauren O'Brien will be laid to rest in Terelton Cemetery following a requiem mass in St Joseph's Church, Castletownkenneigh at 12pm.
Lauren died on Sunday afternoon following a crash at the Castletownkennigh track in Enniskean where she was competing to qualify for a Cork Autograss Racing Club event.
Emergency services were called to the track at 3.15pm, however Lauren was pronounced dead at the scene having suffered severe injuries.
In a touching post on rip.ie, Lauren’s heartbroken parents, Timmy and Therese, thanked the “emergency services, the Cork Autograss community, and those who helped” their daughter following the tragic crash.
They also asked mourners to donate to West Cork Rapid Response in lieu of sending flowers.
Lauren is survived by her parents Timmy and Therese, her sister Shannon, her brother Josh, grandparents Christy, Teresa, Connie, and Ellen, her godparents, and extended family and friends.
A first year student at McEgan College in Macroom, Lauren was described by those who knew her as “a beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue”.
A post on the school’s X account on Monday read: “Friends, it is quiet in McEgan College today.
“The devastating news reached us yesterday afternoon that following a tragic accident, 1st year student Lauren O’Brien had passed away.
“Lauren’s vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever by all at McEgan College. She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to her loving family, her parents Therese and Timmy, her brother Josh who is a 2nd year student at our school, sister Shannon, and all those who loved Lauren and had the privilege of knowing her.”
On Monday, the school was open from 12-3pm for members of the school community who wished to come in for support and to remember Lauren.
Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) are present at the school to support and advise teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time.
Sharon O'Mahony of Cork Autograss Racing Club wrote on social media: “It is with a heavy heart that I write to say that we have lost a Junior driver CK 51 Lauren O'Brien in a tragedy accident yesterday.
“The Cork Autograss Club are sending their deepest condolences and sympathies to Lauren's heartbroken family and racing friends.
“Rest in Peace CK 51 Lauren,” she added.