Ardee area in shock as cousins killed as they cross the road after getting off bus

ARDEE is in mourning this week following the tragic deaths of two popular local women in an horrific road traffic accident.

Irish Wheelchair Association and Ardee Hospice volunteer Josie Duff and her cousin, Kathy McDonald, both died after being struck by a car while crossing the Dublin-Derry road at the Hunterstown Inn on Monday night, just before 6.30pm.

The two women were after getting off a bus when they were struck by a passing vehicle. It is believed the women had parked in the pub car park.

Locals rushed to the scene, some helping to block the busy stretch of road as the women were attended to.

Emergency services then arrived, but the two women were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies removed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. The driver of the car was uninjured.

Gardai closed the stretch of road to facilitate an examination by Forensic Collision Investigators on Tuesday morning.

Both women, who were in their 70s, were very much respected in the area.

Mrs McDonald ran a flower shop in the town at one stage and was prede- ceased by her husband just last year.

Josie Duff was a long time volunteer and community worker and had a room named after her in the wheelchair centre seven years ago.

Cathaoirleach of the Ardee Municipal District, Cllr Dolores Minogue, said the area was ‘ numb with shock’ and on behalf of the local council body expressed condolences to all those involved in a ‘ terrible tragedy’.

‘It is terrible news for the families this week and we send our deepest sympathy to them. It’s heartbreaking,’ she stated.

She also paid tribute to the emergency services and all those that came on the scene and did their very best to help.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Ardee Garda Station on 041-6871130, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.