Funeral details announced for teenage best friends who died in Monaghan crash 

People await the hearse carrying the remains of Kiea McCann as they are brought to the family home in Clones on Tuesday.

Funeral details for the two girls killed in a tragic crash in Monaghan have been announced. 

Kiea McCann, 17, and her best friend, 16-year-old Dlava Mohamed, died when the car in which they were travelling hit a tree on the N54 in Monaghan at around 6.45pm on Monday. They had been on their way to a debs ball. 

The accident left a further three people injured and in hospital, including the 18-year-old older sister of Dlava. She is in Cavan General Hospital in a critical but stable condition. 

A 60-year-old male driver of the car remains in a critical condition in Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. An 18-year-old male teenager continues to receive treatment in Cavan General Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Fr Peter Corrigan described the scene to the Irish Examiner saying: "The rescue helicopter was there; everyone was in an awful state as the messages began to reach their phones." He said he met with both families on Monday night and said they were “shocked and in despair” over the deaths of their daughters.

It was announced on Wednesday that the funeral for Kiea will take place on Thursday.

A notice on RIP.ie read: "Kiea will be resting in her family home from [Wednesday] until [Thursday]. Kiea's funeral procession will leave her family home on Thursday at 1.30pm approx, to arrive at Sacred Heart Chapel, Clones, for 2pm funeral Mass. Kiea will be laid to rest in Mount St Oliver's Cemetery, Clones, afterwards."

The family have said Keia, who was pre-deceased by her brother Jason, will be forever missed and always loved by her mum Teresa, her father Franky, her brothers and sisters; Brandon, Jentzen, Frankie, Michaela, Shauna, Shaunice, Tameaka, Tanisha, Amelia and her wide circle of best friends and family.

Dlava's funeral will take place at Clonskeagh Mosque & Culture Centre in Dublin at 10am on Thursday. 

Her death notice read: "Dlava will be coming home to the family home this evening [Wednesday] in The Diamond [the town square], Clones for 7pm were she will resting among her family and many friends.

Kiea McCann and Dlava Mohamed

"Dlava will be leaving the Diamond Clones on Thursday morning at 6.45am to arrive at Clonskeagh Mosque & Culture Centre 19 Roebuck Road at 10am for her Funeral Services. Her Gentle soul will be laid to rest at 3pm in Newcastle Muslim Cemetery, Dublin.

It added that she was the "cherished and much-loved daughter of Hohamed and Zenab Mohamed". 

"Dlava will be sadly missed by her brothers Mostafa and Rashid and her sisters Lilov, Asmahan, Auin and Giham."

The remains of Kiea McCann arriving into Clones tonight where her community did a guard of honour pic.twitter.com/DoAkdq411m

— Alison O’Reilly (@AlisonMaryORE) August 2, 2023

Hours before the crash, Kiea, Dlava and Dlava's sister had all stood for photos together ahead of the debs ball.

At around 5pm they met with the other sixth year students from Largy College in the Diamond.

It was the first time they had met up since their end of year mass after their Leaving Cert exams.

Their debs party was being held at the Packie Willis venue in Monaghan town which was a half hour drive away.

On Tuesday night, hundreds formed a sombre guard of honour along Clones' main street in solidarity with the girls' grief-stricken families.

The rain cleared just before the coffin bearing the remains of Kiea McCann were brought back to the Diamond, where her family, and that of Dlava Mohamed were waiting, supported by extended family and friends.

Kiea's white coffin arrived at the town shortly before 11pm. Her hearse paused briefly outside the Dlava's home before bringing Kiea's remains to her home. 

Meanwhile, Largy College principal Sharon McGuinness said both Kiea and Dlava had been an integral part of the school community and she was very aware that there would be two empty chairs in the school in September.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, the principal paid tribute to the “two beautiful girls”. Kiea had completed her Leaving Cert Applied and Dlava had completed her Junior Cert and was to enter Transition Year.

“Words can't describe how our school, the community of Clones is feeling just at this time.” 

When asked to describe the two girls, Ms McGuinness said Dlava, who is originally from Syria, was always smiling. 

She was a gorgeous soul, loyal and bubbly, and she was always very happy around the school. She radiated goodness and she was just full of energy.

“Kiea was pleasant and courteous. She had a great love of children, and she had hoped to go on to study childcare at third level. And that is a dream that will just not be realised.” 

Ms McGuinness said nothing could prepare any school, any parent or any community for the events that unfolded on Monday evening. She explained how it was decided to bring the students back to the school so they would be in a familiar place with familiar faces.

“Speaking to the students and parents that were there at that time, that was indeed the hardest five minutes of my career. It was just a scene of utter heartbreak and devastation.” 

Largy College in Clones. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The school would provide support for the weeks and months to come, she said. Ms McGuinness visited both families on Tuesday and the school would provide every support for the funerals.

“We will look at how to support the families as best we can. The past 36 hours has definitely taken a toll on all of us and everyone in our community. And we can't find the words to just speak about how we feel."

She said students were unable "to find the words to express the emotions of anger and hurt that they feel and over the next while we will continue to work together to support each other."

“This tragedy has really highlighted the solidarity and cohesion and care of our school community and indeed the community of Clones," she said. 

"We've received a huge volume of cards, messages of support from all across the country.

"We've a tough time ahead and it's going to be a long journey and a long road. Our focus will be on our students and on providing the support to help and a listening ear, and being there for our students in these dark days that lie ahead for us.”

Meanwhile gardaí said there was an earlier incident on the same stretch of road on the N54 on Monday before the accident.

It is understood a man suffered chest pains and was rushed to hospital.

Gardaí said it was “a medical incident which would be a matter for Health Authorities”.