24.12.03
BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Emma's Funeral
EMMA LYNCH
Emma's schoolfriends led the mourners at her funeral
The funeral has taken place of an eight-year-old girl killed in a road accident in west Belfast at the weekend.
Emma Lynch was one of two children who died after being struck by a car near the junction of the Falls and Springfield roads on Friday.
She was walking along with her eight-year-old friend, two boys and their father when they were struck by a car.
Emma was taken to hospital where she died from her injuries on Sunday.
Emma's cortege left the family home at Pollard Street on Wednesday for Requiem Mass at St Paul's Church.
Her coffin was wrapped in the scarf of her favourite band Westlife.
The cortege paused briefly outside St John's Primary School where Emma had been a pupil.
Hundreds of people lined the pavements as the mourners stopped at the spot where the crash happened and her father laid flowers.
Father Patrick Mulholland said it would be hard for any of the congregation to feel festive this year.
"I'd imagine that Christmas will forever hold painful and tragic memories for all in Emma's family," he added.
The community was also mourning the death of Christopher Shaw, 11, from Valleyside Close, who was killed instantly in the accident.
His older brother Darren, who was hurt in the same incident, is still in a critical condition in hospital.
Their sister and father escaped injury.
Christopher, who should have celebrated his 12th birthday on Monday, was buried at the City Cemetery after Requiem Mass on Tuesday.
A 42-year old man has been charged with causing the deaths of Christopher and Emma by dangerous driving and of causing grievous bodily harm to Darren.
EMMA LYNCH
Emma's schoolfriends led the mourners at her funeral
The funeral has taken place of an eight-year-old girl killed in a road accident in west Belfast at the weekend.
Emma Lynch was one of two children who died after being struck by a car near the junction of the Falls and Springfield roads on Friday.
She was walking along with her eight-year-old friend, two boys and their father when they were struck by a car.
Emma was taken to hospital where she died from her injuries on Sunday.
Emma's cortege left the family home at Pollard Street on Wednesday for Requiem Mass at St Paul's Church.
Her coffin was wrapped in the scarf of her favourite band Westlife.
The cortege paused briefly outside St John's Primary School where Emma had been a pupil.
Hundreds of people lined the pavements as the mourners stopped at the spot where the crash happened and her father laid flowers.
Father Patrick Mulholland said it would be hard for any of the congregation to feel festive this year.
"I'd imagine that Christmas will forever hold painful and tragic memories for all in Emma's family," he added.
The community was also mourning the death of Christopher Shaw, 11, from Valleyside Close, who was killed instantly in the accident.
His older brother Darren, who was hurt in the same incident, is still in a critical condition in hospital.
Their sister and father escaped injury.
Christopher, who should have celebrated his 12th birthday on Monday, was buried at the City Cemetery after Requiem Mass on Tuesday.
A 42-year old man has been charged with causing the deaths of Christopher and Emma by dangerous driving and of causing grievous bodily harm to Darren.
