Community left reeling as four young friends killed in NI road crash are named
The four – Marina Crilly, Emma Mallon, Phil Mitchell and Keith Morrison. all aged in their 20s – had been travelling in a grey Volkswagen Golf, which was involved in a single-vehicle collision in the early hours of Sunday morning.
DUP MLA William Irwin told BBC Radio Ulster that the car hit a tree, with police confirming that the incident occurred on the Ballynahonemore Road at around 2.10am.
All four individuals reportedly died instantly.
The scene on the Ballynahonemore Road (Photo by Pacemaker Press)
Mr Irwin also said it was a “shocking tragedy”.
“Four young people have lost their lives,” said the Newry and Armagh representative. My thoughts and my prayers are with the families at this time.
“It is most parents’ worst nightmares to get dreadful news that they’ve lost a child.”
Another source told this newspaper that the area the young people crashed on is “a wee back slip road, up a country lane near Armagh City FC’s Holm Park”.
“It wouldn’t be heavily used by traffic. I can’t imagine many people being on that road at that time of night,” they added.
Locator: Ballynahonemore Road in Co. Armagh
Crime scene investigators and police officers attended the scene on Sunday morning to determine what specifically caused the vehicle to crash.
District Commander Superintendent Paul McGrattan said: “This is an unspeakable tragedy for the families involved, and for the wider community, who will understandably struggle to comprehend such loss of life.”
A spokesperson for the PSNI added that a “thorough and sensitive investigation” is now under way and anyone with information that could assist police has been asked to get in touch with the Collision Investigation Unit.
“The thoughts of the entire Police Service are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who have lost their lives,” he said.
Sinn Féín councillor Bróna Haughey shared her thoughts and prayers with the families of the four young people, who were all local to the Armagh region.
“My heart goes out to all those involved with this tragedy,” she said.
The Belfast Telegraph understands that Ms Crilly is survived by her young son, mother, and two brothers. Her father, Jason Crilly, also sadly passed away in 2021 at the age of 48.
Mr Mitchell worked as a local lorry driver.
A funeral notice for Mr Morrison states that he was the “beloved son of Alwyn and Lisa, loving brother of Denise, Georgina, Emily and Melanie, stepson of Christine Wright”.
Funeral arrangements are to be made at a later date.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she was “shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news of another serious accident and the deaths of four people in the early hours of this morning”.
Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan said the entire community has been left “stunned and heartbroken” by the news.
“I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of all those involved in this tragic accident,” he said.
“We will all rally around to support these families in what will be difficult days ahead.”
Another man lost his life in a crash in Newry on Saturday night. It is understood the victim was a pedestrian, aged in his 40s, and was hit by a car.at around 10.40pm.
The man was taken to hospital but died from his injuries a short time later.
The Forkhill Road was closed for a number of hours.
Newry and Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins, said: “This is heartbreaking news for the man’s family and friends, and also the wider community,” she said.