Islanders mourn Wales-crash couple from Achill

The community of Achill island is grieving a popular couple who died yesterday in a motorway crash in Wales.

James and Bridget Stafford, who were in their early 70s, had spent the summer on their native Achill Island, off Co Mayo, and were returning to their home in London.

The retired couple were among five people killed in South Wales yesterday when a car sped down the wrong way on the M4 after a pursuit by police.

Achill priest Father Tom Kearney said relatives and friends were left devastated by the tragedy.

“It’s a big blow to the community. James and Bridget spent their holidays on Achill every summer and had just said their goodbyes on Sunday morning.”

The couple’s adult children live in Ireland as well as in the Croydon area of south London.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is examining the circumstances surrounding the collision, which happened shortly after 3am yesterday morning in Newport, South Wales.

Achill, which is Ireland's largest island, has a population of about 2,700 and is attached to the mainland by a bridge.

Fr Kearney said Mr Stafford’s mother, Mary, who is in her 90s, was devastated by the loss.

“I visited close family members in their homes yesterday, including James’ mother, to console them in their grief. It will be up to relatives whether they decide to bring the bodies back to Achill for burial.”

Islanders said Mr Stafford loved fishing and owned a boat, The Sea Venture, which was moored in the local harbour.

He was a native of the Slievemore area on the western part of the island, while his wife hailed from nearby Dooagh village.

The couple travelled from Achill to board the Rosslare-Fishguard ferry on Sunday evening.

Police said they died instantly in their red Volvo car in the motorway pile-up.