Two teenage girls who lost their lives in a car accident in County Monaghan have been named as Kiea McCann (17) and Dlava Mohammad (16) .
Kiea was the 5th of 10 children, while Dlava’s family are originally from Syria.
The tragic accident happened as the girls were being driven to their Debs Ball as part of the class of 2023 at Largy College in Clones on Monday evening.
The crash took place at 6:45pm on the N54 road in Legnakelly.
Yesterday evening after the fatal crash Gardaí released a statement saying, “Two female teenagers (aged 16 and 17 years), who were passengers of the car, were fatally injured during the collision,” adding that their bodies had “been removed from the scene to Monaghan General Hospital,” where post-mortem examinations were to take place today.
Another female teenager (aged 18 years) was said to be in “a critical condition and currently receiving treatment in Cavan General Hospital,” while another male teenager (aged 18 years) was said to be receiving treatment in Cavan General Hospital “for non-life threatening injuries”.
The driver of the vehicle, a man aged 60, was also said to be in a critical condition and receiving treatment in Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
Minister Heather Humphreys who visited the school in the wake of the tragedy said, “This is a very very sad day for Clones. There’s a cloud over the town. People just feel so upset and just numbed by the tragedy,”
“It’s not easy. Up in the Diamond in Clones last night the children all got ready. The girls especially were in their dresses and they were all ready for a great night out and unfortunately it ended in tragedy,”
“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare because nobody expects to get that phone call. One of the parents was on the football field last night and she got the call to go,” she added
“It’s an unimaginable tragedy,” added the Minister for social protection adding “I have to say my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two young girls who have lost their lives and with those who are very seriously injured in hospital, I can just say the entire community…has just been knocked by this.”
“It should have been a night of celebration, and a kind of coming of age for these young people and it just turned into their families’ worst possible nightmare,” she said.
Largey College released a statement in the aftermath of the accident saying that students, staff, and the board of management at the school are in “deep shock”.
Principal Sharon Magennis is quoted as saying, 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.” she said
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the emergency services and Gardaí 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 coordinate a response and to enact the Critical Incident Plan,”
Magennis added, “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.”