Books of Condolence have opened in Clonmel for the four young people who were killed in a road crash in the town on Friday night.
The single-vehicle crash claimed the lives of Nicole Murphy, 18, from Ballypatrick; Zoey Coffey, 18, from Kilsheelan; Grace McSweeney, 18, and her 24-year-old brother Luke McSweeney, from Clonmel.
Nicole, Zoey and Grace had received their Leaving Cert results earlier on Friday and were being driven by Luke to meet friends in Clonmel for a planned trip to Carlow and a celebration event.
Books of condolence for each of them were opened at the local council offices at County Hall in Clonmel this morning.
Several people lined up waiting to sign the books ahead of them opening.
Around 2,000 people gathered in Clonmel yesterday evening for a vigil, with grieving family members, friends and classmates among those at the event at Kickham Plaza.
People continued to arrive at a memorial display in the town square this morning, standing in silence and leaving candles and other tributes.
Opening the Books of Condolence, Mayor of Clonmel Richie Molloy said: "This morning I suppose was another part of the community coming together, we as a council decided to open four books of condolences for the four victims of the terrible tragedy that has occurred over the weekend.
"Last night's vigil really showed the community coming out I suppose to give some solace to the families, and we just can only barely imagine the trauma that they're going through, and I think the books are another way for the people of the town to come out and to show their sympathy by signing the book."
Clonmel parish priest Fr John Treacy said the funeral for Grace and Luke will be held at 11.30am on Friday at St Peter and Paul's Church in the town.
Nicole will be buried on Thursday following funeral mass at midday at St John the Baptist Church in her native Kilkash.
Zoey's funeral mass will take place on Saturday at 11.30am, also at St Peter and Paul's Church.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Fr Treacy said there were going to be difficult days ahead for the three families.
"The love of a parent for their child is just an unspeakable, inseparable bond of love and fidelity and tenderness and compassion. And to lose that is something that words cannot adequately describe," he said.
Read More: Young people will need help dealing with grief in wake of Clonmel tragedy
A cousin of Grace and Luke McSweeney said the family are facing "a very tough few days and years ahead" following their devastating loss.
Speaking at yesterday's vigil, Harry Phelan expressed his gratitude to the many who attended the event to show their sorrow and support.
"Luke and Grace are my cousins, so it's extremely sad," he said.
"It's a big shock. We're very close, we grew up with Luke and Grace and their siblings Mark and David, so it's very, very sad. A big shock, but it's great that the community in Clonmel came out this evening to support everyone."
Asked how the family are coping at the moment, he said: "Struggling, but they've really good people around them to support them and get them through. They can't really put into words and I suppose it hasn't really hit them yet, and it will be a very tough days and years ahead."
He said it was "definitely" a consolation to all to see the thousands attending the vigil. "They can find some small encouragement I suppose, and some small hope in the community in Clonmel."
Bouquets of flowers, notes and candles have continued to be left at the wall of Loreto Secondary School, where Nicole went to school and which is around the corner from the scene of the crash on Mountain Road.
At yesterday's vigil, classmates of Grace and Zoey from Presentation Secondary School wore 'Class of 2023' hoodies and young people embraced one another and cried as the vigil came to a close with the song Rise Up by Andra Day.
Speaking afterwards, Bishop of Waterford Alphonsus Cullinan said there was a "strength" in the community coming together in grief.
"Because there's so many people here, it just shows the strength of community that's here, the bond that's here," he said.
"Everyone here has a connection with those three families and those four youngsters, God love them all.
"So, there's a real strength in that consoling one another, helping one another, to go through the grief, praying together, as well as singing together, crying together.
"It's heartbreaking and there's no easy solution. There's no easy words. We just have to find the strength to struggle on."
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All four post-mortem examinations have been completed this evening and a garda investigation into the crash is continuing.
