"Numb and devastated" is how Cllr Pat Treanor who lives in Clones described the feeling in the local community this morning in the aftermath of last night's road traffic collision. The crash, which happened at Legnakelly on the N54 Clones to Smithboro road shortly before 7 o'clock yesterday evening as a group of young people were making their way to a Debs Ball, claimed the lives of two girls, aged 16 and 17.
Two other passengers are being treated at Cavan General Hospital - an 18-year-old girl in a critical condition and an 18-year-old boy with non-life-threatening injuries. A 60 year-old-man who was driving the car is also in a critical condition at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Cllr Treanor said local people are "broken hearted for the families" whom he added will suffer greatly over the next few days. The local councillor highlighted the close knit community that is Clones and says people will "rally together" to provide help and support to each other over the coming days.
"The town is numb with this devastating news and we're broken hearted for the families that are going to suffer over the next few days and weeks. We're all feeling for them and any support that we can give over the next while, we will. It is a tight knit community, and everyone will rally together," added Cllr Treanor.
