Babysitter killed in car crash

A priest called to the scene of a single vehicle crash in which a teenager died yesterday appealed to drivers to take care on the roads.

Caitlin Taylor, 14, of Goulds Hill, Mallow, Co Cork, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred about 5km outside the village of Scartaglin, Co Kerry, at 11.25pm on Sunday. She was a front-seat passenger in a car driven by Sarah O’Connell, 20, also from Mallow. Ms O’Connell and her 18-month-old daughter, Sophie, who was in the back seat, were both taken to Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, but did not have life-threatening injuries. It is understood Ms Taylor was a babysitter for Ms O’Connell and they were on their way to Tralee at the time. The car went over a ditch on a gently sloping bend and ended up in a field in an area where there have been several accidents, between Scartaglin and Ballydesmond, Co Cork.

Castleisland parish priest Monsignor Dan O’Riordan, who was called to the scene at 12.45am yesterday, asked for prayers for Caitlin and others in the crash. “Everyone had been enjoying the fine weather and it was a beautiful night otherwise in the area,” he said.

“People were then faced with an unexpected tragedy. It makes us realise we’re only one second away from disaster when you turn the ignition in the car. I would ask everyone to please be careful on the roads for their own safety and the safety of other people.

“While this is an awful tragedy, it served to bring out the good that is in people, in particular those in the emergency services who are also deeply affected by what has happened.”

St Mary’s Secondary School, Mallow, where Caitlin was a second-year student, issued a statement saying: “This is a terrible tragedy for Caitlin’s family, her friends, our school and the local community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our thoughts and prayers are with Caitlin’s family and friends at this time.”

lGardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact Castleisland Garda Station on 066-7163090, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.