Gardaí to quiz three survivors of fatal car crash

GARDAÍ hope to shed more light on the cause of a crash that killed two young men when they interview the driver of the car and two surviving passengers.

A senior Garda spokesman said they hope to interview the driver, Theresa Dingivan, her sister, Bridget, and fellow passenger Cillian Smith, in the next few days. All three were eleased from hospital.

They survived the horror crash on the outskirts of Fermoy, Co Cork on Sunday night. But the accident claimed the lives of best friends James Sexton, 19, and Michael Murphy, 22, who were both from the village of Castlelyons.

The Garda spokesman said that at the time of the accident, about 9.20pm, the road was dry.

The accident occurred at Strawhall. The Honda Civic the five were travelling in was nearly split in two when it hit a gate pillar. Before crashing, the car had gone across to the wrong side of the road.

Garda experts are examining the vehicle to see if it had any defects that could have contributed to the accident.

“We are still appealing for anybody who might have seen the navy-coloured 94 C-registered Honda Civic on the back road between Castlelyons and Fermoy on Sunday night.

“We are satisfied that the car left Castlelyons shortly before 9pm and would probably have gone straight to Fermoy,” the Garda spokesman said.

Michael Murphy’s removal will take place from his home at Main Street, Castlelyons, to the church of St Nicholas at 2.30pm today.

He is survived by his parents, Jerry and Mary, brothers JJ, Chris and John-Paul, and sisters, Karen and Mary.

James Sexton, had played for Ireland at under-15 level and was a regular player in Cork City’s under-21 side.

He is survived by his parents Séamus and Breda, brothers, Declan and Leo, and sister, Emily.

His removal is from the chapel at Fermoy Community Hospital to St Nicholas’ Church, Castlelyons at 6pm today and he will be buried after Requiem Mass at 2.30pm tomorrow.