Debs night turns to tragedy as two teenage girls die in car crash

Two people have died and three people are in hospital after a serious collision in Co Monaghan.

Of the three people taken to hospital, two are in a critical condition in Cavan and Belfast.

It’s understood all five were travelling in the same vehicle, which was transporting students due to attend the Largy College Debs.

Gardaí confirmed last night that two female teenagers (aged 16 and 17 years), who were passengers of the car, were fatally injured during the collision. Their bodies were removed from the scene to Monaghan General Hospital. Post-mortem examinations will take place today (Tuesday), August 1.

Gardaí and emergency services personnel attended the scene of the fatal road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 6:45pm yesterday evening (Monday), July 31, at Legnakelly on the Clones to Smithborough Road.

A female teenager (18) is in a critical condition and currently receiving treatment in Cavan General Hospital.

A male teenager (18) is also receiving treatment in Cavan General Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The male driver of the car (aged 60) is in a critical condition and is currently receiving treatment in Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.

Largy College grounds remained open last night for the purposes of buses returning to the school in Clones to facilitate parents picking up students; while the Clones Youth Centre remained open until near midnight. Detached youth work teams were deployed on the streets of Clones and Monaghan to help support young people in the wake of the tragedy.

Road closed

The N54 remains closed while Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conduct a technical examination of the scene. Local diversions are in place.

Gardaí in Monaghan are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N54 between Clones and Smithborough yesterday evening, between 6:15pm and 7pm, are asked to make this footage available to gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Monaghan Garda Station on 047-77200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.