Letterkenny deaths: father of three-month-old victim remains in critical condition
THE TEENAGE mother and infant victim of a crash outside Letterkenny were named yesterday as 16-year-old Kerry Ann Meehan and her three-month-old daughter Niesha.
Niesha’s father, Christopher Hanlon (18), was in a critical condition in Letterkenny General Hospital.
The crash has caused great distress in two small villages: Doochary, where the family lived in an apartment since Niesha’s birth, and 10 kilometres away in Lettermacaward, where Christopher’s parents live.
There was shock, too, in Letterkenny, where other members of Kerry Ann’s family lived since moving there from Derry last year.
The mother and her baby were passengers in the two-year-old car, which struck a four-wheel-drive vehicle towing a load of sheep on the R250 at Tullygay, near Newmills. They died instantly in the crash at 8.45pm on Monday, three kilometres out of Letterkenny on the Glenties road.
Christopher, who was driving the car, was taken to intensive care at Letterkenny General Hospital along with the male driver of the four-wheel-drive vehicle, who was said to be in a stable condition.
Gardaí, including a team of experts from Dublin, were yesterday still trying to establish the cause of the crash, in which the animal-trailer overturned and several sheep were killed.
Christopher’s parents, Mattie and Margaret, spent yesterday by their son’s bedside as they prayed for his recovery. Friends said the couple were to have departed today for Poland on their first holiday together in a long time.
Neighbour Declan Bonner, an All-Ireland medal winner for Donegal, said: “We’re all shattered. Our hearts go out to Mattie and Margaret and the wee girl’s family.” He said: “Christopher is a grand young lad. Mattie and Margaret are very proud of him.”
Christopher Hanlon works with The Cope builders’ suppliers in Dungloe. The manager, Jamesie Byrne, a family friend, also described Christopher as “a grand young lad”.
Local TD Pat The Cope Gallagher, who also knows the family, said: “They are most civil and lovely people, a highly-respected family. My heart goes out to them.”
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the crash. Supt Vincent O’Brien, who is leading the investigation, said the rescue services involved had come upon “a horrific scene” on Monday night.
Kerry Ann and Niesha’s remains were removed from Letterkenny General Hospital yesterday afternoon to her Letterkenny family home.
Their funeral takes place in Derry on Friday morning, following requiem Mass in St Mary’s Church, Creggan. They will be buried in City Cemetery, Derry.