There is sadness this morning at the news that two teenage girls – aged 16 and 17 – have been tragically killed in a crash in Co Monaghan.
It happened on the N54 road at Legnakelly near Clones at about 6.45 pm on Monday evening, July 31.
Three other people have been taken to hospital.
Two of them – an 18-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man – are in a critical condition.
An 18-year-old man is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
All of the victims were travelling in the same car.
The 60-year-old man, who was the driver, is being treated in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and the others were taken to Cavan General Hospital.
Emergency services and two units from the fire service attended the scene on the Clones to Smithboro road.
It is understood that some of those in the car were on their way to a Debs event for a local school at the time of the incident.
Gardaí said the N54 between Legnakelly Cross and Smithborough would remain closed overnight.
They advised morning commuters to take an alternative route.
Fine Gael TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Heather Humphreys, tweeted that it was “heartbreaking news for our local community in the Clones area this evening.
“Every family’s worst nightmare. My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved.”
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy said the news from Clones was “horrendous” and “heart-wrenching”.
“A moment of joy and celebration for these young people has been turned into a lifetime of devastation for those who loved them,” he said.
“God help the families affected.
“The prayers of everyone in Co Monaghan is with them.”
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