Sister describes girl, 15, who died in Tipperary collision as her 'whole world and more'

Leah O'Meara’s death brings the number of fatalities on Irish roads so far this year to 25.

The heartbroken sister of a teenager who died in a two-car collision in Tipperary has paid tribute to her younger sibling, saying her "best friend" was her "whole world and more".

The teenager, named locally as 15-year-old Leah O’Meara, died when the car in which she was a passenger crashed into another car at around 6.45pm on Thursday on the R503 at Rearcross near Nenagh.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, while three other people travelling in the car, a man and woman in their 20s and a second teenager, and the adult female driver of the other vehicle involved, were taken to Limerick University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Leah's older sibling Katie O'Meara has paid tribute to her 'beautiful sister' on social media.

"I love you so much unconditionally baby girl," she said. "I still just can’t believe this is after happening to me — what am I meant to do now, how can I move forward without you."

Katie described Leah as her "whole world and more".

The young woman’s death brings the number of fatalities on Irish roads so far this year to 25. The news of the crash has led to an outpouring of grief online.

One of Leah's friends wrote: “Rest in peace beautiful Angel. I can’t believe I’m writing this. God help her mother, father and her sisters, give them comfort and her family.” 

The Hanley and O'Meara family who are now living in Holy Cross outside Thurles have had a stream of friends and family calling to their home since the incident on Thursday to offer their condolences.

A family friend said: “Leah was very popular and a really stunning girl. It’s so devastating the family are completely shell shocked.

The whole town of Thurles, where they are from, is stunned. She was just a child with her whole life ahead of her. There is a huge amount of support for her family.

The teenager had celebrated her 15th birthday in October with her sister describing her as her “best friend”.

Garda have appealed for witnesses to come forward.  "Additionally, anyone with camera footage, including dashcam footage, from the area at the time is requested to provide it to gardaí.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda station at 067 50450, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."