The two children killed in a car fire in County Westmeath last Friday have been buried in a double coffin in County Longford.

Five-year-old Thelma Dennany and her two-year-old brother Mikey died after the car they were travelling in was set on fire in what Gardaí now believe was a deliberate act.

At the Mass of the Angels in St Mel’s Cathedral in County Longford this morning, Fr Sean Casey told mourners the two children were inseparable in life and would be laid to rest together in a double coffin.

'Inseparable'

“They were inseparable in life,” he said.

“In the words of their dad Michael, the only thing that separated them was school as they went their separate ways each morning.

“Thelma attending dancing classes and football training and Mikey always came to watch her from the side-line.”

Mourners at the funeral of Thelma and Mikey Dennany at St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford, 15-09-2022. Image: Barry Whyte/Newstalk

He said Mikey “ventured onto the pitch for the first time to join her in the sport she loved” just last Saturday week.

“They loved to run and laugh and, feel the wind in their hair and to pick wildflowers,” he said.

“They looked forward to trying out their fishing rods. They are together now exploring the highways and byways of Heaven.”

Funeral

Hundreds of mourners, including family, friends, teachers and classmates turned out for the funeral this morning.

Hundreds more paid their respects at Glennon’s funeral home, Ballinalee Road in Longford where the bodies reposed last night.

A memorial for two-year-old Michael Dennany and five-year-old Thelma Dennany. Image: Barry Whyte/Newstalk

Fr Tom Healy said the deaths have been felt deeply by people all across the country.

“We are deeply saddened at the death of these two beautiful young children,” he said.

“The photographs of their smiling faces speak to us of two bundles of joy who were evidently loved greatly and who no doubt filled the lives of the families and friends with vibrancy and laughter and love.

“We know your loss is very deep indeed.”

Mourners at the funeral of Thelma and Mikey Dennany at St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford, 15-09-2022. Image: Barry Whyte/Newstalk

The children’s mother Lynn Egar was taken from the scene of the fire by air ambulance to a Dublin hospital where she is still receiving treatment.

Gardaí say a criminal investigation into the incident is continuing and they expect to question a person of interest before the end of this week.

The children’s family have said that Thelma and Mikey will be sadly missed and remembered with love by their heartbroken father, mother, brother, sister and grandparents.

Reporting from Barry Whyte at St Mel’s Cathedral in County Longford.

Additional reporting Michael Staines.

Main image shows a hearse carrying the coffin of Thelma and Mikey Dennany at St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford, 15-09-2022. Image: Barry Whyte/Newstalk