Victims of crash were young, vibrant and hard-working, says priest

A man and woman who died in a two-car crash in County Antrim on Sunday have been remembered as "vibrant and dynamic" by their parish priest.

Cathrene Kith Quiñones Singco and Ralph Anthony Singco were in their 30s. Their unborn baby, who was named Kate, also died as a result of the collision.

Father Vincent Cushnahan, of St Vincent de Paul in Ligoniel, said the couple were "looking forward to having their first baby".

"They had a great joy and excitement about beginning their young family together."

The two-car crash happened just after 14:00 GMT on the Moira Road in Crumlin.

Six other people suffered minor injuries.

Fr Cushnahan said the Singco family had been living in north Belfast for "four or five years" but Ralph Singco's family moved to the area from the Philippines "more than 20 years ago".

He said this was a "real tragedy" that has affected the whole community and especially the Filipino community.

"A very deep profound tragedy here in the north Belfast area and especially for those in the Filipino community who are close knit."

Speaking to BBC News NI Fr Cushnahan said Cathrene and Ralph Singco had been trying for a baby for "four years" and had celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary the day before the crash.

"The Singco family are devastated by this awful tragedy," he said.

He added that the Filipino community are "very vibrant" in north Belfast and have come together in this tragedy to support the family.

He said the couple, who worked in the healthcare system were "hard-working".

"They enjoyed themselves as well. They were vibrant, lively, they were faithful.

"They loved TikTok they loved singing… they love to take lots of photographs and show off on social media because that allows their family back home to see how they are getting on."

Aldrin Banas, a friend of the Singcos, described them as a "sweet couple".

He said the Filipino community in Northern Ireland was "heartbroken" and "grieving so much", following the fatal crash.

"There is so much sorrow around us at the moment," he added.

"We never prepared for Christmas when we came to this country, people had been warning us about the Christmas blues, people had been warning us about the post-holiday blues, January the loneliest part of the year, but no-one prepared us for this one.

"We never saw this coming, we are really, really heartbroken.

"The blues will go on and on and on. Family life will never be the same again."

Banas said the Filipino community in Northern Ireland was also grateful for the support of local people who had sent messages of love and compassion.

"I am here on behalf of the Filipino community to really thank the local community, because now we are stronger than ever, because things like this when they happen, we know the local community got our backs.

"It is very touching, it is very uplifting to know that the community has gathered around us for this one and thank you so much."

A vigil for the couple will be held on Sunday at St Vincent de Paul church in Ligoniel, where Fr Cushnahan said "people are welcome to pay their respects".

He said traditional hymns will be sung by the church's Filipino community.

"It will be a very sombre celebration… deeply sad and sorrowful but it will also acknowledge their heritage and their culture."

The couple will then be repatriated to the Philippines after their funeral service on Wednesday.

Fr Cushnahan said that in a time of "great tragedy" the Singco family have received "a tsunami of generosity" through prayers and also donations.

"The family are deeply appreciative," he said.