Bus Eireann driver killed in Meath 3-vehicle crash named locally amid tributes for 2 victims on ‘another dark day’

The crash in Gormanston took place after the the Louth road tragedy victims were laid to rest at the weekend
TRIBUTES are being paid to two men who died in a three-vehicle collision today.

The horror collision involved a lorry, a bus and a car on the R132 in Gormanston, Co Meath, at around 6.30am.

With Ireland reeling from yet another road tragedy, the driver of the lorry, a man in his 40s, and the driver of the bus, a man in his 50s, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The bus driver was tonight named locally as Paul Conway, from Tallanstown near Ardee, Co Louth.

The lorry driver has also been named locally as Wesley O’Reilly, from Skerries, north Co Dublin.

The car driver – a woman in her 40s – and a teenage girl who was a passenger of the car were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Some passengers on the bus, a Bus Eireann Route 101 service, were also taken to hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.

Leading the tributes to their colleague today, Jean O’Sullivan, CEO, Bus Eireann said: “We are devastated by this tragic incident.

“Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of our Bus Eireann driver who has sadly lost his life, and with the family and friends of the driver of the other vehicle who also passed away.

“The loss of a colleague is a shock to everyone across Bus Eireann – our thoughts are very much with our colleague’s family, friends and the many co-workers who are devastated at the loss. Our thoughts are with his family.

“Our thoughts are also with the other driver’s family, with our passengers and with the occupants of the third vehicle who have been injured and are receiving care in hospital.

“At Bus Eireann, safety is our highest priority, and we of course are cooperating with the relevant authorities.

“We remain committed to supporting all those affected and assisting the authorities in every way we can.”

Local councillor Sharon Tolan today told the Irish Sun she was “horrified” by the latest loss of life on our roads, while other local reps described it as “another dark day”.

Cllr Tolan told The Irish Sun: “It is a terrible tragedy. It happened on a very popular and busy route.

“Commuters use the route to go to work, to college, to school.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and neighbours of the victims, and those who are recovering in hospital.”

With a litany of tragedies on our roads recently, the Fine Gael rep called for urgent action from Government, gardai and society in a bid to end the mayhem.

Cllr Tolan told The Irish Sun: “It has been a really terrible time on the roads, especially in recent times.

“I really do think something needs to be done. We cannot go on losing people on our roads.

“We are hearing about accidents on a daily basis now.

“There are fatalities that make the news, there’s also tips and bumps on our local roads. It is happening every single day. There’s been too many traffic accidents.

“Something needs to be done to address it, from Government, road safety groups, An Garda Siochana and society in general.”

This tragedy feels especially heavy coming so soon after the horrific crash that claimed the lives of five young people”Helen McEntee

Meanwhile, local East Meath Fianna Fail Councillor Stephen McKee described the latest road tragedy as “another dark day”.

Cllr McKee said: “We are sadly reminded once more about the danger on our roads.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have tragically lost their lives and those who have been injured. It is a traumatic event for those affected.

“I pay tribute to gardai and our emergency services who responded and who continue to respond to this tragedy. It is a very dark day for the East Meath community.”

The crash in Gormanston took place after the the Louth road tragedy victims were laid to rest at the weekend.

Five youngsters, all under 25, lost their lives in the horror smash that stunned the country.

The pals were travelling together in a Volkswagen Golf for a night out on the town when they collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser on a stretch of road near Dundalk, Co Louth, last Saturday week.

Alan McCluskey, 23, of Drumconrath, Co Meath, died along with his girlfriend Chloe McGee, 23, of Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

The other casualties were Shay Duffy, 21, also from Carrickmacross, Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee, Co Louth, and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland.

‘OUR COMMUNITY IS GRIEVING AGAIN’

A sixth person who was in the VW Golf, also aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital for non-life threatening injuries – along with the two occupants of the Toyota Land Cruiser who survived.

The funerals of the Irish victims of the Louth crash took place at the weekend.

With the country now rocked by another fatal crash, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Meath East TD Helen McEntee spoke of her sadness.

Ms McEntee said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic multi-vehicle collision in Gormanstown.

“My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the two men who lost their lives. We keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

“This tragedy feels especially heavy coming so soon after the horrific crash that claimed the lives of five young people. Our community is grieving again, far too soon, and the weight of that loss is felt by us all.

“My thoughts are also with those who were injured and I wish them a full and speedy recovery.

“I want to acknowledge and sincerely thank the gardai and all the emergency services who responded with such professionalism and compassion in the face of yet another heartbreaking incident.”

‘DEEPLY SHOCKED AND SADDENED’

Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of this morning’s tragic road traffic collision near Gormanstown, Co. Meath.

“At this time, my thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities of those involved. I am wishing for a swift recovery for those injured in the incident.

“I would like to commend the first responders who are attending the scene today for their hard work and professionalism in difficult circumstances.

“My Department is in close contact with Bus Eireann and the NTA and is providing all necessary support.”