A young woman was elated to learn she was expecting a “miracle baby” mere weeks after her fiancé died in a tragic car crash involving his best man. Kate Quilligan was preparing to marry Myles ‘Miley’ Harty, 20, when he was killed in a collision caused by the negligent driving of his best man and cousin, Shane Harty, age 21, who has since admitted guilt to causing death by careless driving last Thursday.
During her period of mourning, Ms Quilligan found out she was pregnant with his child, an occurrence she has since referred to as her “miracle baby”. In a touching tribute to her late partner, she penned: “I love you forever, it will always be me and you, no matter what. Love you unconditionally my gentle giant. You didn’t deserve this my handsome baby boy.”
It occurred that while Shane Harty, residing at Tola Park, Shannon, County Clare, was behind the wheel of the silver Skoda hatchback, with Myles occupying the front passenger seat and another individual in the back when they met with the fateful accident.
Reportedly happening on the R518, Askeaton to Rathkeale Road around 1 am, their vehicle veered off the road and collided with a pole, claiming the life of the bridegroom immediately and leaving the other passenger injured, according to accounts from the Irish Mirror. Shane Harty, who shared a familial bond with the deceased as first cousins, was detained by Gardaí on the scene, while the other man was transported to University Hospital Limerick via ambulance, sustaining injuries deemed non-life threatening.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a young bride-to-be attended the church with her loved ones not for her wedding but to grieve the loss of her fiancé. The ceremony was filled with the couple’s cherished music and songs, while blue heart-shaped balloons bearing the words ‘King For A Day’ floated up in honour of Myles Harty’s intended nuptials, alongside others marked ’20’, signifying his age, released by the mourners into the heavens, reports The Mirror.
Parish Priest Father Sean O’Longaigh remarked on the sorrowful occasion, “They are now switching from a wedding to a funeral, and our thoughts and prayers are with (them).”
Earlier, Ms Quilligan had taken to social media to express her excitement about marrying her soulmate, posting a touching tribute next to a photo: “Can’t believe I’m marrying my best friend in the whole world in the morning. See you at the altar babes. Husband and wife in the morning, our fairytale has finally come.”
