A Connemara community is coming to terms with the tragic death of two students after a 16-year old was killed in a car accident last weekend. Micheal Rua Seoighe from Lettermullen in south Connemara was killed instantly when the car he was travelling in overturned on Sunday night.

The accident happened around 10.30pm at Crimnagh in Lettermullen, just a short distance from Leitir Moir, where earlier that day hundreds of mourners had gathered for the funeral of 19-year-old Teresa Molloy, one of the victims of the car crash on the N17 last week. The previous day, hundreds more attended the funeral of Marie Stephanie Conneely (19) a few miles away in Rossaveal.

But the close-knit Connemara community was plunged into further grief, as news spread of the death of 16-year-old Micheal Seoighe, who was a student at Carraroe Comprehensive School.

Micheal was a front seat passenger in a 1999-registered Citroen Xsara, which left the road and overturned into a field. No other vehicle was involved in the accident.

The driver of the car, a 17-year-old who is also from the area, was yesterday (Tuesday) in a stable condition at Galway University Hospital. It is believed that the two teenagers had earlier attended the funeral of Teresa Molloy in Leitir Moir.

Fr Michael Brennan, Parish Priest of Leitir Moir, said the tragedy was the last thing the grieving community needed.

"It is an absolute tragedy. With the deaths of both Micheal and Teresa coming so close, everybody here is devastated. They would have both known each other, as they are from the same area. It is very hard on both of the families," he said.

Funeral arrangements had yet to be confirmed but it was expected to take place by the end of the week.

The road was closed for much of Sunday night and Monday as Garda forensic collision investigators examined the scene in an attempt to discover the cause of the accident.

Gardai at Salthill station (091-514720) have appealed for witnesses.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment