A tragic accident on the Mayo-Galway border on Tuesday night claimed the lives of four young women.
The deceased, all arts students at NUI Galway, were travelling in a car on the N17 between Ballindine and Milltown when the crash happened at a known accident black spot.
Weather conditions on the night were described as ‘pathetic’ by local parish priest Fr Michael Kenny who was called to the scene and remained there for four hours administering the last rites and assisting emergency services. There was persistent rain and road conditions were described as hazardous at the time of the crash which occurred at approximately 7.30pm.
The stretch of road, which was closed for a Garda forensics examination, has re-opened.
Also involved in the crash was a pick up truck.
The 42-year-old driver of the pick up, Pat Kelly from Ballindine, and a fifth female were also injured in the collision. The pick up driver has been discharged from Mayo General Hospital but the injured student remains in a critical condition in Beaumont Hospital.
Three of the women were pronounced dead at the scene while the fourth died at Mayo General Hospital.
The deceased women were named locally as Marie Conneely (19 ) from Ballynahown in Connemara, Teresa Molloy (19 ) from Lettermore, Sarah Byrne (20 ) from Headford and Sorcha Rose McLaughlin (19 ) from Mulgannon in Co Wexford.
Michelle O’Donnell from Kilronan on Inishmore in the Aran Islands, who was believed to be the driver of the car, remains critical in hospital.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy offered his condolences to the families involved. He said: “These are difficult times and An Garda Síochána are out making every effort to prevent deaths and tragedies like what happened last night, real tragedies, to try and prevent as many as possible.
“Road deaths are coming down as we speak today. There’s 40 less killed than last year but we can still work hard and improve on that,” he said.
NUI Galway has said it is shocked and deeply saddened at the deaths of the four students. Staff at the university said they will work with students as they try to come to terms with the death of the four students.
The accident was one of the worst in the west of Ireland in recent times.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tuam Garda station on 093 70840, Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
