Hundreds pay respects at vigil for 3 people killed in Ireland crash

Hundreds pay their respects at vigil held for three people killed in Co Tyrone crash involving minivan and lorry as victims are named

  • Hundreds of people filled the Holy Grotto, Strabane, County Tyrone, to mourn
  • Dan McKane, Christine McKane and their aunt Julia McSorely all died yesterday

By Alexander Butler[1]

Published: 21:31, 28 April 2023 | Updated: 21:31, 28 April 2023

Hundreds of people have attended a vigil in Ireland today to mourn the death of three victims who died in a road collision.

The vigil was held in Strabane, County Tyrone, to pay respect to Dan McKane, Christine McKane and their aunt Julia McSorely, who all died when their minivan collided with a lorry near Aughnacloy, County Down, on Thursday.

Mourners filled the Holy Grotto, Strabane, while more lined nearby streets as a moment of silence was observed and a candle was lit for each victim.

Father Declan Boland thanked those in attendance and said: 'Your presence here this evening is deeply appreciated.

'We're all at a loss of what to say, how to respond but we respond in the deepest way possible as we gather together as a community of faith.'

Hundreds of people have attended a vigil in Ireland today to mourn the death of three victims who died in a road collision Hundreds of people have attended a vigil in Ireland today to mourn the death of three victims who died in a road collision

Hundreds of people have attended a vigil in Ireland today to mourn the death of three victims who died in a road collision

Mourners filled the Holly Grotto, Strabane, while more lined nearby streets as a moment of silence was observed and a candle was lit for each victim Mourners filled the Holly Grotto, Strabane, while more lined nearby streets as a moment of silence was observed and a candle was lit for each victim

Mourners filled the Holly Grotto, Strabane, while more lined nearby streets as a moment of silence was observed and a candle was lit for each victim

Father Boland added: 'We're standing in silent solidarity this evening with the McKane family, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss.'

The horror collision happened on the A5 Tullyvar road just outside Aughnacloy on Thursday morning.

Colm Gildernew, Sinn Fein[2] MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, extended his sympathies to the families of the victims yesterday, saying his thoughts 'are with everyone involved in today's tragic accident'.

Mr Gildernew also made an appeal for the road where the accident happened to be made safer, saying 'multiple tragedies' had occurred there.

He added: 'This news will devastate families and communities and friends and my thoughts are with each and every one of them.

'The A5 is a road that has seen multiple tragedies over many years and each and every one of those tragedies is an individual disaster for every family and community involved, and it is time that we seen this A5 road completed and made safe to allow people to travel on it in safety,' he said.

It is understood one of the vehicles involved was a minibus containing a number of people and the other was a lorry. /p pPictured: The scene following the incident It is understood one of the vehicles involved was a minibus containing a number of people and the other was a lorry. /p pPictured: The scene following the incident

Dan McKane, Christine McKane and their aunt Julia McSorely, all died when their minivan (pictured) collided with a lorry near Aughnacloy, County Down, on Thursday

The incident occurred on the A5 Tullyvar road just outside Aughnacloy on Thursday morning The incident occurred on the A5 Tullyvar road just outside Aughnacloy on Thursday morning

Colm Gildernew, Sinn Fein MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone has now called for improved road safety

References

  1. ^ Alexander Butler (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  2. ^ Sinn Fein (www.dailymail.co.uk)

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