In a critical development regarding the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two teenage friends in Co Monaghan last year whilst making their way to a debs ball, the police have now issued charges against a male suspect. The man in his 60s, whose identity remains undisclosed, was scheduled to stand before the court on Monday.
Both the victims, 17-year-old Kiea McCann and 16-year-old Dlava Mohamed, were students at Largy College in Clones. They suffered fatal consequences when their car veered off the road and hit a tree while they were en route to the ball. Additionally, three other passengers sustained severe injuries in the N54 collision near Legnakelly close to Clones, around 6.45pm on their journey to Monaghan Town for the event.
McCann, a native of Kilmainhamwood in Co Meath, had later relocated to Clones along with her family. Conversely, Mohamed’s family, present residents of the same town, originate from Syria.
On the ill-fated evening of July 31st last year, the crash not only inflicted serious injuries on the other occupants of the car but also ended up with them losing their lives. However, the driver weathered the tragedy and received medical assistance at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.
Auin, Dlava’s elder sibling who is 18 years old, suffered injuries and subsequently required brain injury treatment. Likewise, 18-year-old Oisin Clerkin, who accompanied Kiea to the ball, was released from the hospital after undergoing treatment for his minor injuries.
A short statement was released by Garda Headquarters on Monday morning, corroborating the charge against the man under the investigation of the fatal collision. It specified, “A man in his 60s who has been charged following an investigation into a deadly vehicular accident that happened in Legnakelly, Co Monaghan on July 31st, 2023, is set to appear before the Monaghan District Court this morning, Monday, March 11th, 2024.”