Two young men killed by car driven by garda laid to rest

TWO young men who died after being struck by a car driven by an off-duty garda were yesterday laid to rest amid a continuing investigation into the incident.

Gavin O’Callaghan, 20, of Courtown Drive in Knocknaheeny, and Mark Farrell, 29, of Lotamore Drive in Mayfield, were buried yesterday in separate Cork city ceremonies.

Flanked by his relatives and friends, Mr O’Callaghan’s remains were brought to the Church of the Resurrection in Farranree just after midday before the young man was buried at St Catherine’s Cemetery in Kilcully.

The remains of Mr Farrell were taken to St Joseph’s Church in Mayfield less than an hour later before being removed to his final resting place at Rathcooney Cemetery.

The pair lost their lives after they were struck by a private car driven by a garda who had just come off duty at Henry Street Station in Limerick and which was carrying another officer.

The two victims of the incident are understood to have left a vehicle they were travelling in and been involved in an altercation while lying on the overtaking lane of the N20 just outside Limerick city before midnight on Wednesday.

Both Mr O’Callaghan and Mr Farrell were reportedly known to gardaí.

As the incident which led to their deaths involved a garda, the Garda Ombudsman’s office has been conducting an investigation into the incident.

They are continuing to seek the public’s assistance in tracing a vehicle in which both Mr O’Callaghan and Mr Farrell travelled to Limerick city on the night of their deaths.

The vehicle, which is believed to have also been carrying a young woman, was driven away in the Cork city direction in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

It is believed the vehicle may have contained illegal drugs, an issue officers are seeking to clarify.

Neither the vehicle nor the young woman who witnessed the crash have been located to date.