Woman's 'miracle baby' joy just weeks after fiancé was killed by groomsman

Kate Quilligan had been due to marry her sweetheart Myles 'Miley' Harty but, just hours before the ceremony, the young man was killed in a crash near Rathkeale, County Limerick

A young woman was overjoyed to discover she was pregnant with a "miracle baby" just weeks after her fiancé was killed by his groomsman.

Kate Quilligan was set to marry her sweetheart Myles 'Miley' Harty, 20, but he was killed in a horror smash, caused by the careless driving of his groomsman and cousin, Shane Harty.

Harty, 21, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing his death on Thursday. The court heard that as Ms Quilligan's grieved, she discovered she was expecting her partner's child. She had described this as a "miracle baby".

In a poignant love letter to her fiancé, Ms Quilligan had wrote: "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."

Harty, of Tola Park, Shannon, County Clare, was driving the silver Skoda hatchback with Myles in the front passenger seat and another man in the rear of the car when the tragic incident happened. The vehicle was driving on R518, Askeaton to Rathkeale Road at around 1am when it left the road and hit a pole, killing the groom instantly and injuring the other man, the Irish Mirror reports. It is understood the defendant and the deceased were first cousins.

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 celebrate their marriage.

The couple’s favourite music and songs were played on speakers, and blue coloured heart-shaped balloons inscribed with 'King For A Day' in respect of Myles Harty’s scheduled wedding, and others inscribed with '20', in reference to his age, were released from the crowd into the sky over the church.

It was described as a “very sad (day) for the families" by Parish Priest, Father Sean O’Longaigh, adding: "They are now switching from a wedding to a funeral, and our thoughts and prayers are with (them)."

Ms Quilligan posted a photograph on social media just hours before the crash of herself beside a message for Mr Harty, which read: "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."