Woman, 51, who died in Ballingeary collision named locally 

A man in his 40s has been arrested in relation to the collision that happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Two other people were also injured

Gobnait Twomey

The woman who died in a tragic accident in Ballingeary, Co Cork, in the early hours of Tuesday morning has been named locally as 51-year-old Gobnait Twomey. 

Ms Twomey, who was from a well-known local family, had moved to Dublin several years ago where she lived in the Finglas area. She had recently graduated from UCD where she was studying physiotherapy and had returned home to the Gaeltacht village of Ballingeary to attend the funeral of her uncle Willie Twomey who passed away last Thursday.

A man has been arrested in relation to the collision that happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The accident occurred when mourners from the Twomey funeral were making their way home through the village. 

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Picture: Dan Linehan

The group met with mourners from the funeral of another local man, Seamus Lucey, which had also taken place earlier in the day. The two groups were all from the local area and well-known to each other. They commiserated as they made their way home through the village.

At around 1.10am a car collided with the group causing Ms Twomey serious injuries. 

An ambulance crew based in Skibbereen were in the area when the accident occurred and attended the scene within minutes but were unable to save Ms Twomey. 

One other woman sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries as a result of the accident and another woman was treated for shock at the scene. They were both taken to Cork University Hospital. 

The driver of the car, a local man in his 40s, and his passenger were not injured but were also treated for shock. It is understood that the driver of the car was returning to offer a lift home to some of the mourners.

The driver was arrested soon afterwards and was taken to Bandon Garda Station for questioning. 

The main street in Ballingeary was closed for most of the day to enable a technical examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and the vehicle involved in the accident was also examined. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Macroom Garda Station on 026 20590, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.