Man released after being quizzed over fatal crash

A TRIP to Cork Airport by two couples heading off on holidays ended in tragedy when two men died and two women were injured in a collision.

A man who was arrested after leaving the scene of the crash was released without charge last evening.

Those killed were named last night as Brendan Donnelly, 24, from Beech Drive, Greenfields, Waterford, and father-of-one Lee Salkeld, 26, from Fairfield Park, Old Tramore Road, Waterford.

The crash happened on the N25 at Caherulton, Castlemartyr, Co Cork, at around 2.45am. The scene is just outside Castlemartyr on the Midleton side of the Cork to Waterford road.

A Ford Mondeo travelling from the Cork direction was in collision with a Volkswagen Polo travelling from Waterford. The two injured women, who had been in the Polo, were taken to Cork University Hospital. They are described as being in a stable condition.

The Ford Mondeo was being driven by a man, also in his 20s, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle. He left the scene of the crash, but was arrested later at Ballinacurra, Midleton, on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death.

He was questioned at Midleton Garda Station under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and released without charge. A file on the matter was being prepared for the DPP.

Mr Salkeld’s family are originally from Britain and he is an only child.

Brendan Donnelly is originally from Birr, Co Offaly. His removal will take place from Boyd’s Funeral Home, Birr, tomorrow at 5.30pm to St Brendan’s Church, Birr. The funeral Mass will take place on Thursday at 11am with burial afterwards in Clonaughill Cemetery.

The dead men were front seat and rear seat passengers. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The N25 at Caherulton was closed yesterday morning to facilitate an examination by forensic collision investigators and scenes of crime gardaí.

Midleton-based Supt Flor Horan, who is heading up the Garda investigation, appealed for witnesses to the crash to come forward.

* Anyone who may have witnessed this collision or with information contact Midleton gardaí on 021 4621550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.