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LAST UPDATE | 26 Aug 2023
THE FOUR YOUNG people who died tragically in a crash in Clonmel, Co Tipperary last night have been named by gardaí as Grace McSweeney, Luke McSweeney, Zoey Coffey and Nicole Murphy.
The three 18-year-old girls were heading to a Leaving Cert results celebration event and were being driven by Luke, aged 24, who was the older brother of Grace.
Their identities were publicly confirmed by gardaí this afternoon as the town and the rest of the country has been hit by shock and sadness at the sad news.
Forensic investigators are examining the scene of the incident and gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information.
Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to the affected families to provide support and updates during the course of the garda investigation.
In a new statement this afternoon, Superintendent Kieran Ruane of Clonmel Garda Station said: “Luke McSweeney, 24 years, his sister Grace McSweeney, accompanied by Nicole Murphy and Zoey Coffey, all aged 18 years, were travelling in a car at approximately 7.30pm which struck a wall and tragically all four occupants lost their lives at the scene.”
Ruane said that gardaí initiated a major incident response with the support of other emergency services including Clonmel Fire Brigade, HSE paramedics, Tipperary University Hospital and Tipperary County Council.
“I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Síochána and the other emergency services who attended the scene last night. The scene was very difficult, in very adverse weather conditions and the professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown to the 4 deceased was exemplary,” he said.
“Our local communities in particular Clonmel, Kilsheelan and Ballypatrick are shocked and deeply saddened by these events. I want to assure our local communities that An Garda Síochána is here over the coming days, weeks and months to support our communities as we all come to terms with this tragedy.”
He said that he has been in contact with the principals of the local secondary schools that the girls attended and that supports are being put in place for the friends of all four of the young people today and over the next few days.
Gardaí are looking to speak with any person who may have any camera footage or images from the R678, Mountain Road and specifically the Hillview area between 7pm and 7.30pm last night.
The investigation team can be contacted at Clonmel Garda station on 052 617 7640, through the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or through any other Garda station.
President Michael D Higgins has said that “the hearts of all parents and relatives, indeed the whole community, will have gone out to the families of Zoey Coffey, Nicole Murphy and Luke and Grace McSweeney, who lost their lives in a traffic accident in Co Tipperary last night”.
“The grief that has been expressed by the community is nearly unbearable and I send my deepest sympathies to their families, their whole community, those in their year in school and the whole school, it’s pupils and management,” the President said.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar paid tribute to Grace, Luke, Zoey and Nicole earlier today, saying that “the whole nation mourns them”. He released a statement to say it was with “deep sadness” that he learned about the tragic incident.
“Leaving Cert results night should mark the beginning of a world of opportunities for young people. It’s a milestone on the road from childhood to adulthood,” the Taoiseach said.
“For young lives, so full of possibility, to be cut short in this way is truly devastating and heartbreaking. The whole nation mourns them.
My sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have died and the wider community in Clonmel and Tipperary. The thoughts of the whole country are with them, their school and their community.
“I am assured that the school authorities and HSE will work together to put in place the necessary supports for their classmates and community. We must come together in times such as this,” he said.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.”
Michael O’Loughlin, principal of Presentation Convent in Clonmel, remembered his two students, Grace McSweeney and Zoey Coffey.
O’Loughlin told reports in Clonmel: “No words can express our sorrow, our pain and our grief. Zoey and Grace were two beautiful students, loved by everybody and achieved such excellent results on Friday.”
Both girls were absolutely thrilled with their results and were looking forward to new exciting times ahead.”
Clonmel’s mayor Richie Malloy told RTÉ Radio’s Brendan O’Connor this morning that the town has rallied around the family and that the community is “heartbroken”.
“Our sympathies really go to the family and even the wider community,” he said.
Malloy said the road is not the kind of place where accidents happen often. “It’s not a road where you could imagine this happening,” he said.
“I couldn’t say enough how much the town has come in behind the family.”
Late last night, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris expressed his sadness about the “devastating news from Clonmel”.
“Leaving Cert results day represents achievement, celebration and excitement. Tonight that has been replaced by grief, shock and sadness,” he said.
“Thinking of the families, friends and school community of the four young people. There are no words. Heartbreaking.”
Devastating news from Clonmel. Leaving Cert results day represents achievement, celebration & excitement. Tonight that has been replaced by grief, shock and sadness. Thinking of the families, friends & school community of the 4 young people. There are no words. Heartbreaking
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 25, 2023
Gardaí confirmed last night that emergency services attended the scene of the single-vehicle crash, which occurred shortly after 7.30pm on Mountain Road.
“The bodies of the deceased have been removed from the scene to South Tipperary General Hospital and post-mortem examinations will be conducted in the coming days,” they said.
An incident room has been established at Clonmel Garda Station, with a senior investigating officer appointed to lead the investigation.
Superintendent Ruane also told reporters at the scene this afternoon that there was a “drone active while the first responders were at the scene” and that it was “difficult” for services on the ground to have a drone flying above them.
“I think it’s disrespectful to the families of the deceased, as well as to the first responders,” he said.
“What I would ask is that footage taken by a drone be brought to the investigation team so we can assess it and I would ask our communities and nationally for people not to share such footage,” he said, repeating that such footage is “disrespectful”.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic, heartbreaking loss of four young lives in Clonmel”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, classmates, the first responders, and the entire community today.”
Minister for Education Norma Foley said she is “saddened beyond measure” and expressed her condolence to the families and community.
“This is heart-breaking news on what should have been a day of enormous celebration and joy for the Class of 2023. School communities in Ireland are akin to tight-knit families and I know this morning that staff, students, parents and guardians will be united in their grief and utter devastation at this tragic and sudden loss of life.”
She said that the National Educational Psychological Service will provide supports to staff and students.
Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has also paid tribute to the four young people.
“Horrific tragedy in Clonmel on what should have been a night of great excitement,” he said.
Sadness is touching every community in Ireland this morning. Thinking of the devastated families, friends, fellow students, wider community and all the emergency responders.”
Local Councillor Pat English said that the local community was in shock following the tragic news.
“My thoughts are with the families of these young people tonight. This is a terrible, unthinkable tragedy for everyone in the area,” he told The Journal last night.
There is massive shock and disbelief in Clonmel town today, according to Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath.
“There is disbelief and numbness,” McGrath told the PA news agency.
“The families involved are all local, from Clonmel and the surrounding area. It is utterly devastating. Our prayers are with the families and the whole community.”
Similarly, local Fine Gael councillor Declan Burgess said: “It’s heartbreaking news for the entire community. My prayers and thoughts are with the families involved.”
Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan offered his condolences to the community, saying: “Together, with the whole community of the people of Clonmel, the diocese and throughout the country, we will be there to stand beside and support the heart-broken and all those affected by this tragedy.”
“May God help all to have strength and may He take those who have died so young into his loving arms. Holy Mary pray for us now and at the hour of our death.”
Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority Liz O’Donnell said: “I am utterly saddened by the tragic accident that claimed the lives of four young people in Clonmel last night.”
“I want to convey my deepest sympathies and those of the Road Safety Authority to the family and friends of those whose lives were lost, along with the entire community affected by this tragedy,” she said.
Tipperary GAA has withdrawn from two under 16s tournaments today as a “mark of respect” after the tragic incident.
“Tipperary GAA extends its sincere and heartfelt sympathies to the families & friends of those who lost their lives. RIP,” the club said.
The Clonmel Pride Parade was due to take place in the town tomorrow but has also been cancelled out of respect.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends who are grappling with this immense sorrow,” the Clonmel Pride Team said.
At this time of profound sorrow, let us embrace one another, offering solace and comfort to those who need it most.”
Clonmel Parkrun, a weekly community walk and run, has similarly been cancelled.
Organisers said that their “thoughts are consumed by the profound loss that has befallen our town” and that they decided to cancel the run “with the utmost respect for the grieving families, friends and community as a whole”.
Additional reporting by Muiris O’Cearbhaill
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