Daughter of fatal crash couple still in hospital

THE daughter of a Co Tipperary couple who died in a crash on Wednesday night is in hospital battling serious injuries she sustained in the collision.

Tom Kenneally, 65, and his wife Angela, 61, suffered fatal injuries when they were involved in a head-on collision 6km from Kilkenny city on Wednesday.

The couple lived in the Drom area, outside Templemore. It is believed they were travelling back from Kilkenny city when the crash happened at about 6.45pm.

Mr Kenneally died at the scene. His wife was taken to hospital by ambulance, but pronounced dead at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny a short time later.

Their daughter, Emma, was travelling in the same car and is being treated for injuries she received. Two people, in a second vehicle involved in the crash, were also brought to St Luke’s Hospital. It is understood their injuries are not life-threatening.

It is also hoped that Emma Kenneally will make a good recovery from her physical injuries.

Tommy Kenneally was a farmer and well known around the Templemore area, while Angela was a teacher in Drom National School and only retired within the past year, having taught junior and senior infants for many years.

Emma is one of six grown-up children along with Mary, Roseanne, Christine, John and Patrick.

A lifelong supporter of Fianna Fáil, Mr Kenneally attended selection conventions and party meetings and also stood at many church-gate collections to raise funds for the party.

“He would be known locally as the Fianna Fáil man and devoted a huge amount of time to it,” said a party member.

“They’re very normal people and lived normal lives and it’s very sad because they were a grand couple, very decent and quiet and honest. They’d be well-liked around the parish.”

Members of the family are also involved in the local Drom-Inch GAA Club.

Templemore-based Fine Gael TD Noel Coonan said the crash highlighted the dangers always present on our roads, despite improved road safety figures in recent years.

“Your heart would go out to the family and all concerned,” he said yesterday. “The whole area is in shock at the moment, people just can’t believe it, they’re devastated. Our sympathies go to the families of everyone involved.”

The road, in the townland of Troyswood, remained closed yesterday while forensic collision investigators carried out an examination of the scene.

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the crash to contact the station in Kilkenny on 056-7775000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111.