Leaving Cerificate student succumbs to car crash injuries

A family of eight were yesterday trying to come to terms with the tragic death of a student who was in the middle of his Leaving Certificate exams.

The Quigley family from Rearcross, Co Tipperary, had kept a vigil beside Kieran Quigley, 17, who died on Tuesday after sustaining injuries in a car crash last weekend.

It was the second tragedy to affect the family — Kieran’s father, Donie, passed away suddenly a little over a year ago.

Kieran — who had seven siblings — sustained serious injuries while travelling in the back seat of a car that crashed on Saturday night at the Cross of Grange on the N24 between Limerick and Tipperary.

The youth was pronounced dead at Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick on Tuesday.

The two-car collision happened shortly before 9pm on Saturday night at the turn-off for Doon and Cappamore, Co Limerick.

It is believed there were three other occupants in the vehicle in which Mr Quigley was travelling.

All three sustained only minor injuries.

The occupants of the other car, including two children, were discharged from hospital after treatment for minor injuries.

The deceased’s family and friends had kept a round-the-clock vigil at his bedside in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

He had been due to sit his exams at St Mary’s secondary school, Newport this week.

His classmates and family are said to be devastated.

Patrick O’Toole, school principal, told the media that counselling is being offered to students should they require it.

Gardaí at Roxboro Rd, Limerick City, are investigating the crash.

They are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 061-214340.

Mr Quigley is the third person to die on Limerick roads so far this year.

He is pre-deceased by his father Donie, and he is survived by his mother Kathleen, sisters and brothers.