A COUNCILLOR has told how the deaths of two young men in a crash this morning is “more poignant” after it occurred on the same day three people lost their lives on the same road last year.
Two men, 20s, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the N80 in Leagh, Rathoe, Co Carlow at around 1.15am this morning.
Two other people, also aged in their 20s, were rushed to hospital with serious, but non-life threatening, injuries.
Gardai confirmed that only one vehicle was involved in the crash and said the injured man and woman were taken to St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny.
Councillor John Pender said the whole community has been left “devastated and shocked” by the tragedy, adding that the collision is particularly sad as it marks the loss of five young people on the same road in one year.
Speaking to The Irish Sun, the Fianna Fail man said: “Our thoughts and our prayers and our sympathies are with the families of the deceased.
“That’s what makes it more poignant, that it was on the anniversary of the crash at the same location.”
Pender said there are plans to realign the section of the N80 where the crash took place early this morning, adding that work starting on the road is “absolutely urgent”.
He explained: “Currently, Carlow County Council have a planning applicaton with An Bord Pleanala to realign the road all along that stretch.
“I would be hoping there will be an early decision on that from An Bord Pleanala and that the work will be able to get started because it is absolutely urgent.”
Independent Councillor Will Paton described the crash as “horrific”.
Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland, he said: “Unfortunately two more young men have lost their lives. . . and what makes it even worse is this is literally a year to the day when three young people – two men and a young lady – lost their lives at the exact same spot.
“I can’t even begin to understand the pain and suffering that people are going through.
“There has been a history of deaths, crashes, incidents, accidents at that particular area.
“It’s gone on far too long and we really need to address this problem urgently.”
Daryl Culbert, 21, from Co Wicklow, Michael Kelly, 25, from Co Carlow and 19-year-old Katie Graham sadly lost their lives on the N80 road on this day last year.
FATAL CRASH
The group were travelling in a red Lexus car which crashed into a tree in a high-speed impact collision on the N80 at Leagh on the Wexford road at about 11.30pm.
Garda Superintendent Anthony Farrell, who attended the scene, said last year: “In my 25 years of service, [this is] probably one of the most severe cases that I’ve attended. It was really, really traumatic.”
Gardai believe the pals were in a Circle K shop outside Carlow before they got into the car and were travelling to the village of Ballon at the time.
The crash had a high-speed impact and one local heard the “loud bang” before running out to the scene in a bid to help. He was helped by others as they put out a small fire at the rear of the car.
Fr Tom Little, the local parish priest, said last year that many lives had already been claimed on the same stretch of road.
LIVES LOST
He said: “There’s a well sign-posted bend, but it’s claimed the lives of a number of people who have had an accident in that particular place. But I don’t know what happened.”
The N80 at Leagh is currently closed and will remain closed for a number of hours as Garda Forensic Collision Investigators examine the scene.
Gardai have urged anyone who may have any information on the crash that took place in the early hours of this morning to come forward.
APPEAL
A garda spokesperson said: “Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
“It is understood the vehicle involved in this collision was travelling from Mount Leinster to Carlow town via Fenagh.
“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling along this route, or who were on the N80 at Leagh between midnight and 1.15am are asked to make this footage available to Gardai.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Carlow Garda station on 059 913 6620, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”
