Woman ‘with heart of gold’ killed in crash
A YOUNG mother-of-two with “a heart of gold” who died in a Co Fermanagh road crash has been named locally as Kiara McCoy.
Police confirmed the 29-yearold Lisnaskea woman died on the A4 Belfast Road at Brookeborough, between Maguiresbridge and Fivemiletown, shortly before 8pm on Tuesday.
Ms McCoy was driving a black Mercedes which collided with a red Ford Ranger.
She had two young sons, both at primary school, a brother Jake and a sister Donna, who lives in Scotland.
Inspector Edel Stinton said a passenger in the vehicle was taken to hospital with serious injuries while the driver of the red Ford Ranger suffered minor chest injuries.
The young mother was the 50th person to die on Northern Ireland roads this year, and the fourth this month alone.
Lisnaskea Emmets Gaelic Athletic Club paid tribute to the young mother on social media last night.
“We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the McCoy family on the tragic and untimely death of Kiara,” the message read.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most difficult time.”
The club also cancelled an indoor football game last night as a mark of respect to the McCoy family.
Former club chairman Cormac McAdam said: “I know her father very well, he owns a plastics factory in Lisnaskea which he runs along with her brother Jake, who played with us in the past.
“I would have said hello to her on occasion at the club and found her to be a very friendly lassie, with a heart of gold.
“Her parents and the rest of her family were all like that too.”
Others in the club posted their sympathies online.
One friend said: “So, so sad. RIP Kiara, such a lovely girl. Thoughts are with her whole family.”
Another added she was sending her “thoughts and prayers to her two wee boys and family”.
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew said: “I’m devastated at the news that a young mother lost her life on our roads.
“Deepest sympathies to her family, especially the two children who have lost their mummy.”
Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton said: “My thoughts are with the family at this very sad time.
“I understand one of her children was in the car with her at the time and I wish that child a full recovery.”
Thomas O’Reilly, Sinn Fein councillor for Erne East, appealed for extra care on the roads. “That road is the main arterial route out of the county and would be extremely busy.
“My understanding is that the crash happened right at the junction.
“I would like to once again appeal for people to take great care and attention driving. It’s nearly every week when we’re faced with another death on the roads in Fermanagh.”
Police have appealed for anyone travelling on that stretch of the A4 who witnessed the crash or have any relevant information to contact local officers in Enniskillen or the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting reference number 1299 of October 24, 2017.