Mother of Cork crash victim says her son was not involved in a feud

THE mother of one of two teenagers killed in a two-car crash on the northside of Cork city last week has said the two teens were innocent victims and were not involved in any feud.

“My child was not involved in no gang, no feud,” Bernice O’Callaghan said.

She made her comments yesterday as tensions in the Knocknaheeny area of the city remained “very high”, with additional gardaí patrolling the area.

A man, aged 40, who was travelling in one of the cars involved in the crash on Thursday, has been charged with false imprisonment.

Gardaí are also questioning a 27-year-old man who was arrested yesterday.

Ms O’Callaghan’s son, Derry, 19, died in Cork University Hospital a few hours after the crash on Harbour View Road.

His friend, CJ Dolan, 16, from Hollyhill, was pronounced dead at the scene.

They were back-seat passengers in a red Mondeo that was in collision with a VW Golf around 11.30pm.

Brothers Shane and John Heaphy were also in the Mondeo. Shane was treated for minor injuries and has gone home. John remains in hospital awaiting surgery.

Philip Murphy, aged 40, of 58 Killala Gardens, Knocknaheeny, Cork, was charged before Cork District Court on Saturday with false imprisonment of a man on May 13 contrary to section 15 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act. He was remanded in custody and is due before the court again today.

Detective Garda Matthew Walsh said Murphy was a leader of a gang involved in a feud with another faction.

Yesterday morning, Ms O’Callaghan telephoned a local radio station to defend her dead son. “He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was never involved in trouble or anything. He was an innocent victim, like CJ Dolan.”

* Anyone with information should contact Gurranabraher gardaí on 021-4946200.