Mayo parishes devastated by deaths of two young men in crash

Two Mayo parishes are in mourning following the tragic death of two young friends just before midnight last night.

The victims of the accident have been named locally as Stephen Brennan (25), Lismirrane, Bohola, and Martin Junior Murphy (27), Drum, Knock.

They were occupants of a Volkswagen Golf car which was involved in a collision with an articulated lorry shortly before midnight on the N60 Balla to Claremorris road.

It is understood the car was travelling in the direction of Claremorris at the time of the impact while the lorry was going in the opposite direction.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene before their bodies were removed to Mayo University Hospital for post mortem investigations.

The driver of the lorry, who is in his thirties, was treated in hospital.

His injuries are understood not to be life threatening.

Members of Mayo County Council, representing Claremorris Municipal District, where the tragedy occurred, expressed sympathy and support for both bereaved families.

Councillor John Cribbin said the deaths were part of an upward national trend of road fatalities.

“Every day of the week you read and hear in the media of road deaths nationally but now it has happened on our doorstep”, Councillor Cribbin commented.

Councillor Tom Connolly said the tragedy has cast a dark shadow over the area and he extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

The road where the accident occurred is a straight stretch of the N60 close to the former Beaten Path entertainment complex.

The vehicles involved in the crash remained at the scene for most of today as a technical examination took place.

Garda Supt. Gabriel Moran has issued an appeal to anyone who was aware of the vehicles beforehand, particularly road users with camera footage (including dash cam), to contact Castlebar Garda Station on 094 903 8200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.