Alex McCarthy, one of five teenagers killed in a crash on the M9 on Sunday was “young and deeply loved” by his family, his funeral Mass heard on Friday. Fr Thomas Little told the packed Holy Family Church, in Askea, Co Carlow, it was the family’s “prayer” that those injured in the incident “make a full recovery”. The hundreds of mourners, some of them wearing white T-shirts featuring photographs of McCarthy (16), had gathered “with heavy hearts and a deep sense of sadness,” he said. The occasion of such a young person’s funeral was a time for “compassion”, the priest said.McCarthy’s was the third of the five young people’s funerals to take place. Those of Joe Carthy (15), from Athy, Co Kildare, and Kamil Pustkowski (17), from Limerick, took place earlier on Friday. The others killed in the incident were McCarthy’s cousin Jeremy O’Brien (18), also from Carlow; and Jack Kennedy (17) from Athy.Alex McCarthy's funeral cortege arrives at Holy Family Church, Askea, Co Carlow, on Friday. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire The five teenagers were travelling in the wrong-way down the M9 near Moone, Co Kildare, when their BMW was in a head-on collision with a Hyundai in the early hours of Sunday. The four people travelling in the Hyundai, three sisters and a seven-year-old boy, were en route to Dublin Airport when the crash happened shortly after 3am. Alma and Niamh Kinsella were in the front of the Hyundai and remain in a serious condition at Tallaght University Hospital. Their younger sister, Ella Hendricken, who was a rear-seat passenger, and her seven-year-old nephew, both remain in serious condition in Dublin hospitals. The entrance to large church on the outskirts of Carlow town was decorated with sprays of blue and white carnations on Friday. An aisle was created up the church entrance by stands holding 14 large heart-shaped photographs of McCarthy with various loved ones and with his lurchers, each framed with blue and white flowers. McCarthy’s remains were conveyed to the church in a white carriage, drawn by two white horses. Songs, including Only the Good Die Young and Simply the Best, were played as family members carried the pale blue casket on their shoulders into the church. There was a visible but low-key Garda presence outside the church, before, during and after the service.[ First funerals of teenagers killed in M9 collision take placeOpens in new window ]The priest told mourners, led by McCarthy’s parents, Lucelle and Edward, and siblings Jordan, Edward, Donna and Nakita, that “the journey ahead will not be easy”. He urged those around the family not to let them carry the “burden” of their grief alone. He said McCarthy had “loved the outdoor life” and had been “very good” with ponies and dogs. Alex McCarthy’s grandmother, Tina Roycroft, read the readings of the faithful, becoming upset during one. Little stood beside her, his arm around her shoulder, during the final reading. In his homily, he said: “Lord, receive those who have died into your mercy. “Heal those who have been injured. Comfort those who mourn. Give strength to those who are suffering.“Bring peace where there is anger. Bring forgiveness where there is guilt.”As the mainly young congregation emerged from the church and casket was brought to the carriage, four well-groomed horses pulling sulkies were waiting to accompany McCarthy’s remains on their journey to St Mary’s Cemetery. O’Brien’s funeral will take place in the same church on Monday. Funeral details for Kennedy have yet to be announced.