Shercock crash claims second life as daughter passes away four days after her mum

The daughter of a woman who lost her life in a road traffic accident in Shercock last Friday has passed away.

Irena (Ira) Mereacre (10) from Milltown died yesterday afternoon at Temple Street Hospital, four days after her mother Nell Raven (53).

Ira had been on life support at Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin in the days following the accident.

Nell, a mother of three, died at the scene of the collision with a lorry on the R162 at Corclare just after 5pm last Friday, July 24.

Gardaí say other occupants of the vehicles received medical treatment from ambulance staff at the scene.

Nell, who was originally from England and previously worked as a journalist, became an Irish citizen just last month. Ira was a pupil at Milltown NS. Their family had settled in the Milltown community and had just been enjoying life after Nell’s successful cancer treatment when tragedy struck.

Born into a hippy commune in Wales, Nell lived in seven countries before finally settling down in her ‘forever home’ in Ireland.

Nell, Alex, and their youngest children Evey and Ira moved to Milltown in the middle of Covid lockdowns and renovated a run-down cottage.

“It’s made me very happy to know that I really do belong for the first time,” Nell told the Celt of her new Irish identity.

Her story was carried just two weeks ago in the issue dated July 16.

Dancer Ira herself made headlines late last year when she represented Cavan in the county parade on the Late late Toy Show.

Garda appeal

Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses to the fatal collision.

They ask that any road users who had been travelling in the area between 4:45pm and 5:15pm on Friday, July 24, and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bailieborough Garda Station on 042 969 4570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.