The deaths of two teenage girls in a Co Monaghan crash has brought “profound sadness and grief” to their school community, according to Largy College in Clones.
Three other people were taken to hospital, two of them in a critical condition, after the incident on the N54 Clones to Smithborough road at Legnakelly at around 6.45pm yesterday.
It is understood all five were occupants of the same car, with some travelling to a Debs event for students of Largy College.
Gardai said the bodies of the two girls, aged 16 and 17, were taken to Monaghan General Hospital, with post-mortem examinations due to take place on Tuesday.
An 18-year-old woman and the 60-year-old male driver of the car are in a critical condition in hospital, while an 18-year-old man is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
The deaths of two teenage girls in a road collision while on their way to a Debs ball in Co Monaghan has been described as an 'unimaginable tragedy' | Read more: https://t.co/Sf2FNM6oHa pic.twitter.com/ZkjAHPFvSm
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 1, 2023
The two 18-year-olds were taken to Cavan General Hospital for treatment, and the 60-year-old man was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Horrendous, heart-wrenching news coming from Clones this evening.A moment of joy and celebration for these young people has turned into a lifetime of devastation for those who loved them. God help the families affected. The prayers of everyone in County Monaghan is with them.
— Matt Carthy TD (@mattcarthy) July 31, 2023
School principal says critical incident plan enacted
School principal Sharon Magennis has expressed “deepest sympathies” to the families and friends of the two girls killed in the crash.
In a statement, Sharon Magennis from Largy College in Clones said: “It is with profound sadness and grief that we have learned about the devastating accident that resulted in the untimely and tragic loss of two cherished members of our school community.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends who have tragically lost loved ones.
“The other individuals involved in the accident also remain in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the emergency services and gardai who responded swiftly to the incident.
“Our priority now is the wellbeing and welfare of the students, parents and staff at this difficult time.
“The Largy College critical incident team has met to co-ordinate a response and to enact the critical incident plan.
“We are grateful to the public for their deeply felt expression of support and ask that we be given the time and space to concentrate on supporting those in the school community who are most in need.”
'Unimaginable tragedy'
Social protection minister Heather Humphreys, who is from Co Monaghan, said the crash was “an unimaginable tragedy”.
“This was a Debs night for Largy College. It should have been a nice celebration and a kind of coming of age for these young people, and it’s just turned into their families’ worst possible nightmare.”
She told RTE radio that Largy College, Cavan-Monaghan ETB and the Clones Youth Centre will be providing support to students.
Ms Humphreys said: “This is just awful news for so, so many families, you know, young people to see their friends cut off at such a young, young age. It’s just heart-breaking.”
She added: “None of us ever know what’s around the corner. I know a lot of parents across the country will hear this news today and I know that they’re holding their children extra tight because it’s really every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Local councillor Richard Truell told the PA news agency: “It’s tragic, the community is shocked. We can’t get our heads around what’s happened because two young lives have been lost.
“Our thoughts and prayers have to go to their families.”
'Moment of joy turns to devastation'
Cavan-Monaghan TD Matt Carthy said it was “horrendous, heart-wrenching” news and said the prayers of everyone in Co Monaghan are with the families affected.
“A moment of joy and celebration for these young people has turned into a lifetime of devastation for those who loved them,” he said on Twitter.
The local youth club in Clones was opened last night to offer support to students.
There have been 100 deaths on roads in the Republic to date this year, compared to 95 in the same period last year and 79 in 2021.
Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland a 35-year-old motorcyclist has died following a collision with a car in Co Armagh. Judith McMullan (35) died at the scene of the crash on the Mowhan Road, near Markethill last night.
It is the 40th fatality on the roads in Northern Ireland since the beginning of the year. Last year, 23 people had lost their lives on the roads in the first six months of the year with 55 in total across the year.
