Tributes to pals who died in crash
Third person seriously injured in horrific Bundoran accident
HEARTFELT tributes were paid last night to two friends from Co Fermanagh who were killed in a horrific car crash in Co Donegal.
Mother-of-one Shiva Devine from Belleek and Conall McAleer from Pettigo, both aged in their early 20s, were passengers in a Peugeot 306 which was torn apart after it hit the wall of a business in Bundoran at around 3.25am yesterday. Another victim, Rachel Elliott (25), from Ballinamallard, was being transferred to a Dublin hospital in a critical condition.
A man in his 20s arrested by gardai was released without charge last night pending a report to Irish state prosecutors.
“Shiva was lovely both inside and out and she always had a smile on her face,” one friend said, while Mr McAleer was described as “one of life’s truest gentlemen”.
TRIBUTES have been paid to two friends from Co Fermanagh killed in a road crash across the border in Co Donegal early yesterday morning.
Mother-of-one Shiva Devine from Belleek and Conall McAleer from Pettigo, both aged in their early 20s, were passengers in a blue Peugeot 306 car which hit the wall of a business premises in the Eastend area of Bundoran at around 3.25am on Sunday.
They were among six people who were travelling in the car after a night out in the popular seaside resort.
Mother-of-one Rachel Elliott, who is 25 and from Ballinamallard, was last night transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin from Sligo University Hospital, where she had been on life support.
A past pupil of St Mary’s College in Irvinestown, she was said to be in a critical condition after sustaining a broken back in the crash.
Two other men were being treated for serious injuries in Sligo University Hospital last night.
The crash scene remained sealed off for most of yesterday as a forensic examination took place.
Meanwhile, a man in his 20s arrested by gardai investigating the fatal traffic collision was released without charge last night.
Police in the Republic said a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The young man, who is also in his 20s, had presented himself to gardai yesterday morning.
He had been detained under Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act at Ballyshannon Garda Station.
Post-mortem examinations are to be carried out on the two deceased at the mortuary in Sligo University Hospital today.
Eyewitnesses said the crash scene was something that they never wanted to see again.
“It was horrific to see all those young people just lying there,” said one. “The car was a total wreck and there were bits of debris lying everywhere.
“There was smoke coming from the car and the back axle was around 30 yards away from the car.”
Former Bundoran town councillor Frankie O’Gorman said there is a history of serious crashes in the area, which is nine miles from the border with Fermanagh.
His family ran the O’Gorman Arms Hotel, which once stood where this latest incident happened.
“This occurred at a very dangerous corner and years ago there were a lot of accidents there,” he said.
“When the hotel was knocked down I would have thought that the road would have been widened but unfortunately that didn’t happen. It’s very sad.
“Driving conditions were difficult at the time because of the heavy rain so the road would have been slippy.”
Bundoran Tourism Officer Shane Smyth told the Belfast Telegraph: “The whole town, both residents and visitors, has been stunned by this shocking event overnight in Bundoran.
“The lives of these young people presumably in Bundoran on a night out have been cut tragically short and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the deceased.
“We hope that those injured make a speedy recovery.”
Bundoran priest Canon Raymond Munster added: “We send our condolences to those who died. At our Masses today we prayed for the happy repose of their souls and that those injured in the crash would soon come back to full health.”
Ballyshannon Fine Gael councillor Barry O’Neill said the whole community in the town of Bundoran was just “numb with shock”.
“For the grieving families, today my heart and the hearts of many people locally goes out to those families.
“Obviously these incidents can happen, but when it happens in a small area like Bundoran, a seaside town and a small community, it makes it more tragic,” he said.
Prayers were said for Ms Devine at Mass yesterday morning in St Patrick’s Church in the Fermanagh border village of Belleek. A former pupil of Colaiste Cholmcille in Ballyshannon, she is survived by her three-yearold son Kyle, parents Nicola and Julian and siblings Odin, Che, Freya and Eris Daisy.
She was well known in her native south Donegal where she was described as a popular young woman.
“Shiva was lovely both inside and out and she always had a smile on her face,” one friend said. “She was kind and considerate and very popular”.
Her cousin posted on social media last night: “RIP my beautiful cousin. So sad today. You’re in our hearts. We all love you and will miss you so much.”
A family friend added: “You were such a sweet girl and loved by a lot. Until we meet again sleep tight.” The second victim Conall McAleer, known as ‘Squeek’, was from the Pettigo area.
He attended South West College in Enniskillen and worked for D Montgomery Contracts in Dromore, Co Tyrone.
Heartbroken friends took to his Facebook page last night to pay tribute to the popular young man.
“A true gentleman with not a bad word to say or a complaint to make about anyone! A good friend to all of us! Take it easy and fly high,” said one.
Another added: “Still can’t believe the news, rest in peace Squeek. Such a pleasure to have known such a kind and caring person.
“You really are one of life’s truest gentlemen! Watch over your family in the weeks and months ahead.”
News of the tragedy has left Fermanagh reeling and comes exactly a year after two young men lost their lives in a horrific crash in the county.
Luke Lynch (22) died in on the Clones Road in Newtownbutler on Sunday, August 20, 2017, when the blue Peugeot 206 he was driving hit a tree.
His lifelong friend, 21-year-old Ronan Melarkey, died in hospital two days later.
Writing on Twitter yesterday, DUP leader Arlene Foster (left), who represents the Fermanagh and South Tyrone area, said: “This is very tragic news, which will shock the community.
“Remembering their families at this difficult time. Praying that others involved make a full recovery.”
Sinn Fein MLA Jemma Dolan is from Belleek and said the crash had resulted in several heartbroken homes.
“It’s an awful tragedy, especially at such young ages. My thoughts are with their families and friends at what is undoubtedly a very tough time,” she said.
Belleek-based councillor John Coyle knew the deceased and says the local community is stunned.
“To wake up to this terrible news on a Sunday morning that these young lives have been lost is truly awful,” he said.
“People are devastated that a night out has ended in such unspeakable tragedy.”
Erne North councillor Raymond Farrell added: “Words really fail at a time like this as we think of the sudden deaths and critical state of everyone involved in this horrific accident.
“Amidst carnage, wreckage and broken bodies there are the broken and distressed hearts of the families of everyone concerned.”
As a mark of respect to the community and all affected by the tragic event, the Republic’s broadcaster RTE has postponed a planned outside broadcast of The Ryan Tubridy Show, which was due to take place in Bundoran tomorrow, to a later date.
Meanwhile anyone with information in relation to the collision is asked to contact gardai in Ballyshannon on 00 3537 1985 8530 or any Garda Station.