Lynn Egar, 48, has been charged with murdering her five-year-old daughter Thelma Dennany and her two-year-old son Michael Dennany on a rural road in Lacken, Multyfarnham. A truck driver discovered Eggar’s car, which had not crashed, engulfed in flames with the mother and two children inside on September 9. Thelma and Michael – known to family and friends as Mikey – both died in the fire, while Egar was pulled from the burning car by the truck driver before being airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. Egar appeared at Mullingar District Court on Thursday and sat with her head bowed during the five-minute hearing. Lynn Egar, 48, has been charged with murdering her five-year-old daughter Thelma Dennany and her two-year-old son Michael Dennany on a rural road in Lacken, Multyfarnham. Lynn Egar, 48, (center with her face covered by a hood) was charged with murdering her children Thelma and Michael (pictured together) – known to family and friends as Mikey – both died in the fire, while Egar was pulled from the burning car by the lorry driver before being airlifted to hospital Egar, 48, covers her face as she appears in court accused of murdering her two children Detective Sergeant David Donnelly told the court Eggar was charged with two murders shortly before 8pm on Thursday. He said the mother did not respond after being charged. District Judge Bernadette Owens granted solicitor Damien Coffey’s application for legal aid after handing over a statement of Egar’s means. Judge Owens said any application for bail was a matter for the High Court. Egar was seen covering her face and head with her maroon zip-up hoodie as she was led away from the courtroom and put into a car by officers. She was remanded in custody at the Dochas Centre, the women’s section at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin, and will appear before Athlone District Court next Wednesday via video link. Thelma and Mikey were buried together in a single coffin on September 15 as mourners at St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford heard the siblings were ‘inseparable’. Father Sean Casey, parish priest of Killoe, Co Longford, told those gathered that Thelma and Mikey were “lively” children. Thelma and Mikey both die in the car fire as their mother is charged with their murder Thelma and Mikey were buried together in a single coffin on September 15 as mourners at St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford heard the siblings were ‘inseparable’. Thelma and her brother Mikey loved to explore together The priest described Thelma, who was a pupil at Saint Cremin’s National School in Multyfarnham, as a “lovely girl, always smiling”. She said her little brother Mikey was enrolled at Toddlers and Waddlers nursery school in Rathowen and they loved exploring together. Symbols of their lives were brought to the altar, including artwork and a collage from Thelma’s elementary school, Mikey’s preschool artwork and their fishing rods. Father Casey said there was a “special place in our hearts” for the children’s pre-school and school-age friends, as well as their carers and teachers. “Thelma and Mikey were vibrant children,” he told mourners. “They were inseparable in life. According to their dad, Michael, the only thing that kept them apart was school as they went to school separately every morning. “Thelma attended dance classes and soccer practice — Mikey always came to watch her practice from the sidelines. “On Saturday last week, he took to the field for the first time to join her in the sport she loved. “They loved to run and laugh and feel the wind in their hair and pick wildflowers. They were eager to try their rods. Thelma and Mikey’s father Michael Dennany is seen next to the children’s coffin on September 15 in Co Westmeath. He also told those gathered: “We don’t know how these tragedies happened, we know they were deeply loved.” Father Casey also read a message from the family, which said: “We as a family would like to thank everyone who helped us say goodbye to Thelma and Mikey. “We say goodbye because with the memories they left us in their short lives and their infectious smiles, they will be with us forever. “Your sincere sympathy and offers of help have touched us greatly at this very difficult time. Once again, thank you all.” Post-mortem examinations on the bodies of both children by state pathologist Dr Sally Ann Collis have been completed, but gardaí said they would not release the results for operational reasons. Fr John O’Brien, of Multyfarnham Franciscan Abbey, said there was a “deep sadness” in the village. “There is an awful feeling of sadness, like a cloud falling upon us. There is a feeling of dizziness and confusion, what are we saying? How are we going to come to terms with that?’ Fr O’Brien told RTE Morning Ireland. “This sense of unreality we have to deal with this terrible tragedy. “Did this really happen? The two young children are dead. There is an overwhelming feeling of sadness, disbelief and an inability to find the words. “People meet informally. Mothers talk about it and worry about how their children will go to school and how they will cope with the news. “It will be difficult for the teachers and very hard for the young children who will have to deal with this sense of sadness and loss. “I can’t find the words, but just sitting with someone and listening to how they feel and their confusion, that way we create a healing spirit between us. “We need to do this and do it for each other in the community. We are in shock, it’s just unbelievable. “We don’t have a magic wand to take the tears away, we have to sit down and be with someone. It’s a lonely time for everyone. “It was a huge shock.”
