Victim lost four relatives in fatal crash 9 years ago

ONE of the three people killed in the horrific car crash in Monaghan on Monday night lost three cousins and an aunt in a separate car accident in 2001.

Glenn Curtis, 27, who was a passenger in a BMW in Monday night’s crash was the first cousin of Wayne Curtis, 9, and Shauna Curtis, 5, and their first cousin Gary Curtis, 13, who died in the 2001 collision along with Glenn’s aunt, Jamie Curtis, 14, and Catherine Curtis, who was in her 30s.

Catherine’s husband, Tommy, and the couple’s three-month-old daughter, Chloe, survived the 2001 accident. They had been travelling from Nobber to Bundoran, Co Donegal, for their summer holidays when the crash occurred. The late Glenn’s family and those killed in 2001 all lived within a few miles of each other in the Co Meath village.

Glenn’s uncle, Martin Curtis, 39, unable to cope with the loss of his son, Gary, and his young sister Jamie, took his own life after the first anniversary of the Swann’s Cross tragedy.

A friend of the family, speaking in the village, said the area was in deep shock following the tragedy.

“We are devastated with the news of Glenn’s death. It’s not fair. The area is in deep shock. The Curtis family have had enough to deal with already with the tragedy at Swann’s Cross back in 2001 without this. It’s heartbreaking.”

Glenn is survived by his parents, Seán and Marion, and his only sister, Sinéad.

A pregnant teacher and her unborn baby also lost their lives in Monday night’s accident.

Roisín Connolly, 39, of Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 15, was five months’ pregnant. Efforts to save her unborn baby were unsuccessful.

Paul Carroll, 27, of Dunheeda, Kingscourt, Co Meath, who was in the BMW car alongside Glenn Curtis, was also killed in the collision. The car was being driven by Kevin McArdle (pictured), 28, who survived the crash.

Mayor of Carrickmacross, PJ O’Hanlon, said the whole town was shocked at the scale of the tragedy.

“I wish to extend my sincere sympathy to the families of those who have died in this tragic accident and to say that our thoughts are also with the other people involved and their families. We are all shocked that such a tragedy could have happened near our town. I implore people all across the country to please be careful on our roads.”