An investigation has been launched and an incident room set up at Monaghan Garda Station in the aftermath of an horrific road traffic collision, that claimed the lives of two local teenagers and left two others in hospital with critical injuries.
An 18-year-old boy is also receiving treatment at Cavan General Hospital for what are being described as non life-threatening injuries. Best friends Kiea McCann (17) and 16-year-old Dlava Mohammed died as they made their way to Monaghan town to celebrate Largy College Debs Ball on Monday evening.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Superintendent Patrick O'Connell from Monaghan Garda Station, highlighted the devastation that met frontline workers as they attended the scene at Legnakelly on the N54 Clones to Smithboro when a car with five occupants left the road and collided with a tree.
He said that while it was a traumatic experience for all those involved, his sympathies and those of the entire force lie with the families and friends of those who died and were injured. Superintendent O'Donnell also made an appeal for witnesses to come forward.
He asked that road users who may have camera footage including dash-cam and were travelling on the N54 between 6.15pm and 7pm on Monday evening to contact Monaghan Garda Station on 047 77200.
