A SONG written by a Limerick teenager after the death of his two 15-year-old cousins in a road crash nearly two years ago is being released today to encourage young drivers to slow down.
The charity single On Wings by Jamie Bridgeman (17) was recorded by Leanne Moore, this year's winner of RTÉ reality song contest You're a Star.
Leanne Miller died when the car in which she was a passenger hit a ditch in Galbally, Co Limerick. Her cousin, Robyn O'Riordan (15), died in hospital from injuries the following day.
"I was in Biarritz when we got the call to say Robyn and Leanne died," Jamie said yesterday. He wrote the song on the long drive to get the ferry back to Ireland and finished it after the funeral.
"I wrote the song to vent the feelings I had and about the emotions sticking out in my head," he said. Lyrics include the line, "We are free, we know no pain, cry no more."
Jamie wanted to point out how many people are affected by any death on the road. "As a family it has been the most devastating thing to have happened to us and we will never forget," he said. "I hope this song keeps their memories alive."
He also hopes the song will encourage young people to slow down. "If it just saves or affects one life that song has done its job."
Three hundred and thirty eight white balloons will be released before the song's performance at Smyth's Bar, Limerick at 8pm tonight to represent all of the people who died on the road last year.
