Garda chief saddened by crash deaths

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said today he was saddened by the deaths of one of his officers and a teenager in a horrific head-on car crash in north Mayo today.

Garda Terence Dever, 47, had been travelling with his life-long friend and colleague on their way to report for duty at Belmullet garda station when they collided with an oncoming car.

Stephen Conway, 19, of Inver, Baranatra, outside the town, who was driving the other car, is thought to have died almost instantly in the crash at Attycunnane near Belmullet, just before 6am.

Garda Dever, who was a passenger in a Ford Mondeo, died later from his injuries at Mayo General Hospital in Castelbar.

The married father of three children, aged between 12 and 17 years, was car-pooling with his colleague and long-time friend on the journey from Achill to begin an early morning shift.

The friend who was driving is being treated for injuries at Mayo General Hospital.

Originally from Achill, Garda Dever had moved back to the area in recent years after being stationed for some time in Dublin.

It is understood he was a fluent Irish speaker and had studied for a degree in his native language.

The garda, who joined the force in 1982, was said to be very popular with his colleagues at Belmullet, who were in a state of shock.

Mr Conway was believed to be travelling home from the town in an Opel Astra at the time of the crash.

A spokesman for Commissioner Murphy said it was with deep regret that he learned about the deaths.

“The Commissioner extends his sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased men,” said the spokesman.

“These deaths add to the increasing number of road fatalities in the past number of weeks and the Garda Commissioner calls for all road users to take greater care on our roads.”

A third off-duty garda who was also driving towards Belmullet narrowly avoided a collision with the oncoming car just before the fatal crash. He was treated for shock.

The Garda Ombudsman Commission is investigating the incident, as is normal for any crash involving gardaí.