Third victim of New Year's Eve crash tragedy named
The third victim of the horrific New Year's Eve two-car collision in Kells has been named as Wexford woman Julie Kehoe.
It's understood that the mother-of-three who was travelling with her children - a 12-year-old boy and two baby girls - in the direction of Cavan, where she was building a home and planning to get married.
Killed in the accident were Saoirse Corrigan and her partner Shane Gilchrist, both in their 20s, from Castlepollard.
Julie was taken to hospital with serious injures after the head-on collision on the N52 beside the M3 motorway, but was later pronounced dead.
The children were all removed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. The youngest children's conditions were described as not serious, and the boy last night remained in a serious condition, having been transfered to Temple St Hospital.
Heartfelt tributes were paid to Shane from Castlepollard, and Saoirse from Whitehall, who died following the tragedy.
Ringtown GAA posted this note on their Facebook page: "We are all in shock and devastated with the tragic death of our beautiful friend and club member Saoirse. We remember especially all her family members and her partner Shane, who also sadly died in the accident. RIP.
"May their gentle souls rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha."
Castlepollard Hurling Club posted a poignant picture of the couple and said:
"A terrible tragedy engulfed our community as two of our young beautiful souls were tragically taken from us decades too soon. Castlepollard Hurling & Camogie Club would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Gilchrist, Murray, Corrigan and Coffey families.
"Shane and Saoirse were both stalwarts in the Castlepollard and Ringtown Hurling Clubs and extended communities. Our hearts are broken for your loss in this most difficult time.
May their gentle souls rest in peace."
Castletown Finea Coole Whitelhall GFC wrote: "Today is a dark day in our community.
"With great sadness all at CFCW offer our condolences to the families and friends of Saoirse Corrigan and Shane Gilchrist, who have tragically been taken away from us far too soon.
"Both, devoted members of their local GAA Clubs Saoirse and Shane will be greatly missed by Castlepollard Hurling Club, Ringtown Hurling Club and CFCW GAA and the much wider community.
"Our hearts go out the Gilchrist, Murray, Corrigan and Coffey families at this difficult time."
Shane was predeceased by his brother Joey. His passing is deeply regretted by his loving mother Trisha, loving father David, brothers Luke, Bryan and Peter, sister Emma, his grandparents Johnny, Maureen, George and Imelda, uncles, aunts, extended family, the hurling community and a wide circle of friends.
Saoirse was predeceased by her grandfather Michael. Her passing is deeply regretted by her loving mother Orlene, loving father Michael, Andy, Keri, brothers Cathal and Cillian, sisters Brónagh and Gráinne, grandparents Michael-John, Josephine and Beatrice, uncles, aunts, extended family, all the staff and students at St Clare's College, Ballyjamesduff and a wide circle of friends.
May Shane's and Saoirse's gentle souls rest in peace.
Funeral details will be released later.
In Wexford the death notice for Julie was released and read: "Beloved daughter of Geraldine and the late Jack, partner of Dessie, mother of Jack, Grace and Hannah and sister of Ger, Martina and Ciaran. Deeply regretted by her mother, partner, son, daughters, brother, sisters, sister-in-law, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, relatives and friends.
May She Rest In Peace."
The vehicles are understood to have collided head on the N52, just off the M3, at around 4.45pm on New Year’s Eve.
Saoirse, who was the driver of one of the cars, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Passenger Shane was treated at the scene but died en route to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
The triple-fatality brings to 12 the number of people killed on Irish roads so far this week. Thirteen people have lost their lives on Meath roads in 2021.
Kells-based Cllr Sean Drew, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, It was "an awful tragedy to see the deaths of three young people.
“My sincere sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased. Please God the injured children will survive. My thoughts are also with all the members of our local Emergency Services who attended the scene. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha."
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Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users who were travelling in the area at the time and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Kells Garda Station on 046 928 0820, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.