Road deaths climb over 100 mark as two die following Athlone accident
The blue Fiat Bravo was travelling into Athlone from Ballymahon when it struck a wall close to the Department of Education Examinations Branch building and then went into a nearby field.
A member of staff at the Department of Education offices raised the alarm at around 7.30am, but it is feared that the car might have crashed as early as 1am.
The emergency services attended the scene and used cutting equipment to remove the bodies of the two people from the car.
Gardaí in Athlone have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
Mr McCormack was 27 and from the village of Ballykeeran just outside Athlone, while Ms Devaney was 24 and from Retreat Road in Athlone town.
Fine Gael local Councillor Nicky McFadden said she was deeply saddened by the death of Kathryn, who was friends with her own children.
"I'm so devastated it's so sad," she said. "I would have known her personally and she would have been in the same class as my daughter.
"She was full of life, mad into animals, had a very quick smile and was a very happy-go-lucky person. My heart goes out to her."
It is understood that Kathryn, the eldest child in her own family, also had a small child of her own. It is believed she worked at a stables in the area.
Her parents Ann and Frank and her siblings were being comforted last night.
It is understood Declan McCormack worked for the ESB but devoted much of his spare time to horses and owned some mares, as did Kathryn Devaney.
It is believed that Mr McCormack helped the 24-year-old Athlone woman with her horses.
His family were said to be deeply shocked at his tragic death.
As of 9am yesterday the road deaths tally was three higher than at the same stage last year, although the actual number of collisions was down four from last year's comparable figure of 94.
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