All those tragically killed in yesterday’s tragic collision in Aughnacloy, in Co Tyrone were members of the one extended family.
Three people died and four others were taken to hospital after the collision which involved a mini-bus and a lorry.
It is understood they were returning from a family function in England in a mini-bus when the accident happened.
It has since emerged that this is the THIRD triple fatal road crash in the area in the last 16 months.
On Monday, December 27, 2021, three young men were killed in a crash at an A5 junction near St Matthew’s Church and Kelly’s Inn in Garvaghy.
Nathan Corrigan (20), Peter Finnegan (21) and Petey McNamee (20) were all in the same car when the tragedy occurred.
Speaking at Nathan Corrigan’s funeral, Fr Michael O’Dwyer, parish priest of St Matthew’s, called on the authorities to prioritise work on the A5 before more lives are lost.
“The deaths of Nathan and Peter Finnegan and Petey McNamee have highlighted again the danger that the present A5 road poses and the need for an upgrade,” he told mourners.
“This community and this church has witnessed too many deaths and accidents and borne the cost at a great price, and that is just one section of the road.”
Just a year later, on Monday, December 26, 2022, three more people lost their lives in another road accident on the Dungannon Road near Cookstown.
For years, there have been calls for an upgrade of the treacherously dangerous A5 from the border at Augnacloy to Derry.
A total of 47 people have now lost their lives since the Northern Executive first approved a dual carriageway in 2007.
The road was closed from early morning into the evening in both directions between the Annaghilla Road Roundabout, Ballygawley, and Favour Royal Road in Aughnacloy.
Motorists have been advised to seek an alternate route.
Police confirmed “that three people have sadly died” following the road traffic collision.
