A Co Limerick couple were last night preparing to bury a second son who died in tragic circumstances following a crash which claimed the lives of three teenagers.
Seamus Keogh (18) of Herbertstown, Co Limerick, was killed when his Toyota Starlet was involved in a collision on the main Limerick-Mitchelstown road on Thursday evening.
Two passengers in the car, 16-year-old Naomi Mulcahy, Herbertstown, and 18-year-old James Ryan, Hospital, Co Limerick, were also killed instantly.
This is the second tragic death in the Keogh family in recent times. Just five years ago Seamus's older brother, Patrick (21), died after falling from a balcony while on holiday in Spain.
"Seamus was their youngest son, so now they have lost their eldest and their youngest sons," said one local person.
It was also the second tragedy to befall the Mulcahy family. Six months ago Naomi's father, John Mulcahy, died suddenly after watching a rugby match.
Naomi, who was due to sit her Leaving Certificate next year, had been working for the summer in the restaurant of the Hunt Museum in Limerick city.
"Naomi just turned 16 in March. She was a lovely girl and a great athlete who was hoping to become a PE teacher when she finished school next year," said a family friend.
James Ryan is survived by his parents, D.J. and Ann. He was due to start work as an apprentice plumber with FÁS next Monday.
"This is a terrible tragedy for all three families and for the entire community," said the local curate, Father Michael Kennedy.
"These three fine young people were struck down in the prime of their lives.
"The whole community is devastated and all the young people are just going around in a daze."
A married couple from Murroe, Co Limerick, were travelling in the second vehicle, a Toyota Avensis, which was involved in Thursday night's collision.
The driver of the car, a middle-aged man, was taken to Limerick Regional Hospital with serious injuries.
However, they are not believed to be life-threatening. His wife escaped uninjured but was treated for shock.
Last night a special prayer service took place in Herbertstown church where locals prayed for the three families.
"The local community have been superb and have been giving great support to all of the bereaved families," said Father Kennedy.
Meanwhile, gardaí in Co Limerick are still investigating the cause of Thursday night's crash.
It is understood the car in which the teenagers were travelling was sliced in two in the collision, and half of the wreckage was recovered in a nearby field.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed it, or who was in the area between 6.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., to contact Bruff Garda station at 061-382940.
The funerals of the three teenagers will take place at the weekend.