‘A perfect daughter’ – Tipperary woman who died in crash in Carlow named locally
A woman who died following a collision in Carlow has been named locally as Denise O’Meara. The 33-year-old from Portroe, Tipperary, lost her life after the car she was driving collided with a van.
Her father Denis has described her as “the perfect daughter”. It is understood that Ms O’Meara had recently completed a PhD and had just started a new job.
Ms O'Meara's funeral mass will take place at St Mary's Church, Portroe, this Saturday at 12pm. A notice on RIP.ie reads: "Predeceased by her Grandparents Hubert Oakley & Michael O'Meara. Will be sadly missed by her heartbroken parents Denis & Maura and her brother Declan & sisters Caitriona & Eimear.
"Her partner Calum, nephew & nieces Ella, Niall, Keira & Emily. Grandmothers Nancy O'Meara & Maureen Oakley. Sister-in-law Grace, partners Donal & Matt. Aunts, uncles cousins relatives neighbours and friends."
Gardaí are investigating the accident that occurred on the N80 at Ballintrane at around 5.50pm on Monday evening. Ms O’Meara was treated by emergency services but sadly passed away at the scene, the Irish Mirror reports.[1]
The two male occupants of the van were both airlifted from the scene to hospital. Gardaí described at the time that they were both being treated for serious injuries.
The front passenger of the van has since been released from hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver is currently in recovery at the Mater Hospital in Dublin following an operation. Divisional Roads Policing Inspector Paul Donohoe said Ms O'Meara's father described her as “the perfect daughter”.
Speaking to KCLR FM, he said: “Our thoughts are with all the families, especially the young girl. I spoke to her mam and dad last night, it’s tough, it’s so hard for them to comprehend what happened to their daughter.
"A perfect daughter is what was described to me by her father, she has done it all, she is educated, she was starting a new job. She had her whole life ahead of her and now it’s gone.”
Carlow Superintendent Anthony Farrell has asked people not to share images of the crash online. He said: "Gardaí are also aware of a number of images being posted on social media platforms post-collision.
"This is not helpful to the Garda investigation, but more importantly to the family, friends and community who are mourning the loss of a loved one. I would ask people who have posted those images to take them down immediately.”
The Superintendent is also appealing to any witnesses of the collision to come forward to gardaí. He said: “The N80 is the main vehicular artery between the M9 Motorway and Rosslare Port. We are focusing on people who may have been using this part of roadway around the time of the collision between 6.15pm and 7pm.
“You may have been travelling towards Carlow or Ballon at the time. You might have noticed either vehicle, a White Audi A4 or indeed the White Mercedes Vito Van. You might have dashcam footage, you might have seen either vehicle pass.
“Indeed if have any information to support the Garda investigation, please contact Tullow Garda Station on 059 915 1222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
Local Fine Gael Councillor Ben Ward said the incident occurred just two minutes from his house, and there have been many collisions on that stretch of road. He told the Irish Mirror:[4] “That stretch of road is a notorious spot for accidents recently.
"There is a very bad bend on what is a major road, it would be unusual for such a busy road. There are plans for that to be straightened out, but it will be another two or three years and that’s if there is no objection to it. Yesterday was a bad day too, there was lots of rain and bad conditions.”
Just five months ago, three young people died following a crash on the N80 after the car they were travelling in veered off the road and hit a tree at Leagh. The victims were named locally as Daryl Culbert, 21, from Kiltegan, Katie Graham, 19, from Ballickmoyler and Michael Kelly, 25, from Nurney.
References
- ^ the Irish Mirror reports. (www.irishmirror.ie)
- ^ Man, 40s, missing from Cork city as family express concern for wellbeing (www.corkbeo.ie)
- ^ Fundraiser launched to bring seriously injured young Cork sportsman home from Thailand (www.corkbeo.ie)
- ^ the Irish Mirror: (www.irishmirror.ie)