Hundreds farewell children killed in Oatlands crash tragedy
The mother of three children killed by an allegedly drunk driver has bravely led a prayer at their funeral in Sydney in front of hundreds of tearful mourners including dozens of the children’s classmates.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hundreds of mourners dressed in white have farewelled three children who were killed by an alleged drunk driver at a heartbreaking funeral in Sydney’s west.
Abdallah siblings Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna, 8, died on a footpath in Oatlands alongside their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, while going on an evening walk on February 1.
The crowded funeral for the Abdallah children was held at the Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Harris Park, near Parramatta, for about two hours on Monday morning.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s wife Jenny, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Police minister David Elliott were among those in the crowd.
Other high-profile names included federal frontbencher Alex Hawke and Brigadier General Milad Ishak, who was representing the commander of the Lebanese army.
Danny and Leila Abdallah, the parents of the three killed children, kissed framed photos of the trio and sat in front of their white coffins next to Bridget Sakr, who is the mother of Veronique.
Monsignor Shora Maree, a priest who led the service, paid testament to Leila’s previous words of forgiveness towards alleged drink driver Samuel Davidson, 29.
“Danny and Leila, we have seen in you the most inspirational example and testimony that is true of the power of God’s love,” he said.
“Leila, you said the words of forgiveness that stunned the world, it stunned the world.
“That doesn’t come from something human, it comes from the divine.
“What an inspiration for all of us. We’ve seen the renewal of faith for many.”
Leila joined about 10 priests on stage and led a prayer, saying her three children were now in heaven.
“Heavenly father, we thank you for your unconditional love,” she said.
“They are rejoicing with you today as you use this day of celebration to … ignite prayer in the hearts of your kingdom throughout all over the world … we know they are rejoicing in heaven with you today.”
Dozens of schoolchildren from Tara Anglican School for Girls and The King’s School dressed in uniform also attended to say goodbye to their classmates.
“Fly high, little angels,” one King’s student said in a prayer.
Monsignor Maree said many would be questioning why the three had died.
“It’s a huge question of why now, why three … some may say why didn’t God stop this, it’s an understandable question,” he said.
“God did not do this, God allows it because it’s going to bring his glory through.”
He also drew a link between the crash site in Oatlands to where Jesus died, saying “like the hill at Oatlands, we’re not going to forget that hill”.
The priest said Sienna wanted to help a charity called Team Jesus feed the needy in Blacktown for her eight birthday instead of celebrating with cake.
“On her eighth birthday, Leila said to her it was Friday, what do you want to do, movies, cinema, time zone? She went mum, it’s Friday – were going to go to Team Jesus and feed the hungry … that is love.”
A marching band, doves and balloons were released into the sky as the three siblings’ coffins were led away.
A group of seven children were going on an evening walk while being looked after by an aunt at the time of the incident.
A funeral service for the cousin Veronique Sakr is scheduled for tomorrow morning at the Santa Sabina college chapel in Strathfield.
Samuel Davidson, 29, who is the son of a police officer, was allegedly three times the legal blood alcohol limit when he lost control and ploughed into the children.
He’s been charged with 20 offences including four counts of manslaughter and is due to appear in court in April.
Two previous gatherings were held at the church over the weekend because so many in Sydney’s Maronite Christian community wanted to pay their respects.
Their mother Leila Abdallah, 34, led a vigil at the crash site last week and previously said she felt at peace after seeing the bodies of the children at the Lidcombe mortuary.
“I feel at peace with God – yesterday I went and I saw my kids, I saw them the way I saw them at the scene: no makeup, no filter, no nothing,” she said.
“They looked at peace and they looked like they had the wound of Jesus Christ on them.
“I grabbed everyone’s hand and started praying from all our hearts … after praying I felt at peace, I felt like my kids are alive and they can still hear me and are around us.”
Originally published as Hundreds farewell children killed in Oatlands crash tragedy
FOLLOW LIVE: Charlotte’s grieving parents back social media ban for under 16s
The parents of a Year 7 student who took her life after being bullied sent a powerful letter to a first-of-its-kind summit to combat the dangers teens face online. Follow the social media summit LIVE.
Cherry on top: Tweed mayor locks in another term
Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry has retained her seat thanks to an overwhelming show of support by her fellow councillors. Here’s the details.