Triple death crash victims named
One of three teenagers killed in a horrific car crash in Northern Ireland was preparing to begin a university career, it emerged tonight.
Michael McManus, 19, had achieved the A-Level grades he needed for a place at Liverpool University to study accounting and finance.
He was with two close friends who also died when their car collided with a lorry on the main Belfast Road outside Newry, Co Down.
The two other victims were Stephen Haughey, 17, and Caomh McCarthy, also 19. All three were from Co Armagh.
Father Kevin Donaghy, principal of St Patrick’s Grammar School in Armagh, where Michael studied, said: “He had just been accepted into Liverpool after working very hard to achieve that goal.
“He was unassuming but everyone was delighted to see him get on to that course.
“Michael was studious and yet at the same time heavily involved in football both for the school and his local club.”
Stephen Haughey had also attended St Patrick’s, but left a year ago to begin work as an electrician.
Stephen and Michael lived close by in Armagh city, while Caomh was from the village of Markethill a few miles outside.
The three teenagers were in a silver Peugeot 306 travelling north when the crash happened early today.
Police and fire crews found them dead at the scene.
Although the accident happened on a clear stretch of road, the route carries heavy cross-border traffic.
Fire officer Michael McAteer said: “It is very, very upsetting but our feelings pale into insignificance when we consider the feelings of the families, and indeed the local communities this morning who are waking up to discover that loved ones and friends are now dead.”
Police chiefs also spoke of the horror of the crash.
Inspector Ronnie Neill said: “What we are faced with here is a scene of utter devastation.
“We have a silver Peugeot 306 vehicle lying in the ditch and young people have lost their lives.”
Earlier, a young girl died in hospital after being hit by a car in south Belfast.
Heather Gallagher, 14, was struck on the Ormeau Road last week.
The tragedies have brought the death toll on Northern Ireland’s roads this year to 106, compared with 104 at the same stage 12 months ago.
