Ligoniel Vigil Shows Incredible Community Support for Singco Family

North Belfast has demonstrated incredible solidarity and compassion following the tragic deaths of Ralph Anthony Singco, Cathrene Kith Quinones Singco, and their unborn baby daughter, Kate Singco, who lost their lives in a two-car collision near Nutts Corner.

The couple, both health service workers, had been valued members of the North Belfast community for the last four or five years, while Mr Singco’s wider family has been settled in the area for two decades.

The depth of local feeling was evident as huge crowds, including North Belfast MP John Finucane, gathered at St Vincent de Paul Church in Ligoniel for a vigil. Attendees paid their respects to the family through hymns and prayer, showcasing the unbreakable spirit of support prevalent in the area.

Crucially, the community’s efforts extended beyond prayer. A GoFundMe page established to cover the costs of repatriating the family to their home country, the Philippines, successfully reached its target thanks to widespread generosity.

Antonio Singco, Ralph’s brother, offered heartfelt gratitude to those who attended the vigil and contributed, describing the support as “astronomical, unbelievable and incredible.”

Addressing the crowd, he acknowledged the profound pain of the loss, but emphasized the enduring power of local kindness. “There really is no explanation to make us understand our loss,” he said, “but it’s very easy in these moments to lose yourself to loneliness and isolation. The support and solidarity that this community has shown us has given us hope that there is still goodness and humanity in an unjust world. Tonight is about honouring and remembering my brother and his family.”

Father Vincent Cushnahan echoed this sentiment, noting that the couple had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child. He stated that the “dreadful tragedy has brought out the best in this community,” highlighting the prayers, condolences, and “overwhelming financial generosity to allow the Singco family to take Ralph, Kith and baby Kate home, to their home soil, to lay them to rest in peace there.”