Bride arrives for 'fairytale wedding' but ends up mourning her fiancé after he's killed

Myles Harty, 20, was killed on what was to be his wedding day on August 21, 2021, in a Skoda hatchback driven by his groomsmen Shane Harty, 21, who has pleaded guilty to careless driving

A heartbroken bride turned her "fairytale" wedding into a memorial after her fiancé was killed in a car crash the day they were to be wed.

Myles 'Miley' Harty, 20, was killed in the horror smash on August 21, 2021 - his wedding day - in a car driven with his groomsman Shane Harty. The 21-year-old was driving the silver Skoda hatchback with Myles in the front passenger seat and another man in the rear of the car when the incident happened.

Shane Harty has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing his death. Myles Harty had been due to marry his sweetheart Kate Quilligan later the morning at St Munchin’s Church in Limerick city.

Ms Quilligan announced she would be releasing balloons at the wedding church venue, "because that’s where we should be celebrating the best day of our life at that church but instead it’s the worst". She wrote in a Facebook post: “Baby you knew I needed something to get me [through] the bad days and that’s [why] you blessed me with our miracle baby I [k]new you wouldn’t just leave me so you left me a part of you.

“I’m so happy I will be able to hold onto a part of you for the rest of my life. We have a love like no other and even death can’t break that.”

Gardai officers arrested Shane Harty at the scene while the male rear-seat passenger was transferred by ambulance from the scene to University Hospital Limerick where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The heartbroken young bride-to-be went to the church with a large gathering of family and friends to mourn his death, instead of celebrating their marriage. The couple’s favourite music and songs were played on speakers, and blue coloured heart-shaped balloons were released from the crowd into the sky over the church.

Ms Quilligan and Myles Harty’s parents were present in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court when Shane Harty pleaded guilty in the case. The court heard Ms Quilligan and Mr Harty’s parents are to be canvassed for pre-sentencing victim impact statements which will be taken into account by the judge when considering Shane Harty’s sentence.

Lily Buckley, prosecuting barrister, told the court it was a "very tragic case" and confirmed that Myles Harty "was due to be married on the day".

Judge Colin Daly offered the "sympathies of the court to all the family and friends of the deceased".

Brian McInerney, senior defence barrister for Shane Harty, instructed by solicitor Michael O’Donnell, said there were "certain sensitivities" associated with the case, and that Shane Harty was the deceased’s groomsman.

Judge Daly remanded Shane Harty on continuing bail for sentencing at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, on Monday, November 18.