N3 crash victim named locally

A book of condolence will be open in Corlough Community Centre later this evening.

The young teenager who died tragically following yesterday's N3 crash has been named locally.

In a post shared on social media, Corlough GFC said “no words can express” the grief felt by the local community following news of the death of 17-year-old Luke Beirne.

“Our hearts are breaking for a young life that had so much to give to this world, a talented footballer that loved playing football, a team mate that was as solid as a rock and so much to offer in his short life.”

Luke, the club say, was “highly respected" both on and off the field, by his school mates and work colleagues, and that he had a "great attitude on the field by letting his feet do the talking.”

They add: “From his underage days playing with Dernacrieve Gaels, he won numerous medals and we knew from the get-go this was one player to watch out for and indeed Luke proved us all right, he was one of the most talented footballers to wear a green and white jersey for Corlough. It was only this year at the beginning of 2022 Luke started playing at senior level and unfortunately a few short months later we must bid farewell to him, it is going to be tremendously hard for us to move on from this. When we lose any member of our club we naturally grieve for them but when we lose a member so young, so full of life and so much to live for, it’s only then you realise we’ve hit rock bottom.”

In their message, which has been widely shared since being posted, Corlough GFC says they will “never forget” a young man whose “quiet manner”, “attitude to life” and “drive for success” were just a “drop in the ocean of what you had to offer”.

They conclude the post by asking the community and those further afield to keep Luke's bereaved family- father Tony, mum Lorraine and sister Grace- in their “thoughts and prayers" and to grant them the "courage that somehow they all find the strength at this awful unimaginable time. God bless you Luke in our hearts you will remain forever.”

A book of condolence will be open in Corlough Community Centre later this evening, from 8pm until 10pm. This, the club say, will give an opportunity for all of Luke's past and present team mates a time to "reflect on Luke’s life" and offer them "a time to talk and rally around each other" at this very sad and heartbreaking time.

Local Fianna Fail Councillor, John Paul Feeley added his condolences.

"I'm very sorry to hear of the death of Luke. My thoughts and prayers are with his parents, sister and wider family and friends for which is a desperate tragedy."

Luke sadly passed away at Cavan General Hospital from injuries he sustained following a two-vehicle fatal road traffic collision on the N3 (Kilnalack), near Annagh Lake, at approximately 6pm yesterday evening, Thursday, June 9.

The driver of the car in which Luke was travelling, a woman in her 50s, and the driver of the lorry, a man in his 40s, were also taken to Cavan General Hospital to be treated for injuries described as “serious but non-life threatening”.

The road was subsequently closed to allow for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, with local diversions put in place.

The road closure has since been lifted, and normal traffic flow has resumed.

Gardaí meanwhile are appealing for any witnesses to yesterdays two vehicle collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N3 between Butlersbridge and Belturbet, between 5:45pm and 6:30pm are being asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cavan Garda Station on 049 436 8800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.