Irish couple among three killed in ‘heartbreaking’ Spain holiday crash

A young couple have been named among three Irish victims killed in a crash in southern Spain.

15:29, 29 Jun 2026Updated 16:25, 29 Jun 2026

L-R Ian McCullagh, Amy Wallace, Michaela Newcombe and Mark McCullagh

Three Irish people killed in a "devastating" crash involving a taxi and a car in southern Spain have now been named.

Mark McCullagh, his partner Michaela Newcombe and Amy McCullagh, the wife of Mark's brother Ian, all died in the crash near Malaga in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Spanish authorities said the crash happened shortly after 2.30am local time on the A7 motorway near Malaga, when two vehicles crashed and one of them plunged down an embankment beside the road.

A fourth Irish national, Ian McCullagh, survived the crash but remains seriously injured in hospital in Spain. All three of those who died were from Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

Ian, 31, had married Amy in southern Spain in August 2024, the Irish Mirror[1] reports.

(Image: SOLARPIX.COM)

Tributes have poured in for Ms Newcombe, who worked as head receptionist at Havan Sun Mullingar beauty school.

Friends described her as a "kind, caring, beautiful soul" who was "full of life" and always had "a kind word for everyone she met".

Another wrote: "I'm so sorry for the loss of your colleague Michaela. She was always so nice and smiling anytime I was in.

Thinking of her family and friends - absolutely heartbreaking."

A third tribute read: "Can't believe the news. Such a beautiful soul. Her big smile and bubbly personality will be missed so incredibly."

Local Sinn Fein councillor Julie McCourt said the town had been left in shock by the tragedy.

She said: "Our hearts are with the families and all who loved them in the Mullingar area and beyond.

It is a devastating loss for the entire community and we are holding them in our thoughts and prayers."

References

1. ^ Irish Mirror (www.irishmirror.ie)