Tributes to "angel" nurse killed in crash

The tragic death of a popular local nurse plunged Meath into mourning over the bank holiday weekend.

The death of 26-year-old Meghan Mallee in a single vehicle accident in the early hours of Saturday morning has devastated the community of Athboy and colleagues in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan.

Meghan of Gillstown Little, Athboy and formerly Perth was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident that occurred at approximately 1.20am on Saturday on the N51 in Rathmore, Athboy.

She is survived by her heartbroken, parents, Mairéad and Jimmie, sister Naoimh, uncles, aunts and cousins.

"Her death has cast a shadow over the whole community," said local councillor, David Gilroy.

"A life with such fantastic potential snuffed out. She was making such a difference to other people's lives."

Cllr Mike Bray said it was a very sad day for the local community. "There has been great sorrow over the last few days and our hearts go out to her family and friends. It is shocking to lose such a young life in such terrible circumstances."

In a statement, the management and staff at Our Lady’s Hospital Navan extended their heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Meghan. "Meghan will be missed by all her patients and colleagues who were privileged to have worked with her. She will be forever remembered for the compassion, kindness and care she extended to everyone she worked with and cared for in our hospital. May she rest in peace".

Tributes have been pouring in with a former colleague describing her as "a fantastic nurse that I had the pleasure to work with. May she rest in peace."

Another friend said: "Heartbroken to have heard this early this morning. A beautiful young lady and so much more living to do! Rest in heavenly peace."

A colleague wrote: "We are all devastated of this news of our colleague, who I had pleasure of working with and meeting in the hospital we worked together. Such an angel inside and out, and such a good nurse too."

“Deepest condolences to the Mallee family. Megan was a ray of sunshine, such a beautiful woman inside and out. Rest in peace Megan," said another shocked mourner.

"Your kindness and humour are what I remember and I'm so sorry for your family and friends.”

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N51 in the Rathmore area between 1am and 1:30am are asked to make this footage available to Garda

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kells Garda Station on 046 9280820, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Meanwhile tragedy struck in Virginia where local man, Cathal Mulvaney (44) died following an accident at Lough Ramor.

Mr Mulvaney of Forest Park, Rathardrum, Virginia, and formerly of Main Street, Mullagh, was found “unresponsive” after his body was taken from the water on Sunday morning.

He has been described in numerous posts shared online following his death as “one of the nicest fellas you could meet” and a “good friend” to all who knew him.

Dozens of messages of sympathy have also been shared with Mr Mulvaney’s bereaved family.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana confirmed that officers and other emergency services responded after receiving reports “of an unresponsive male who was just assisted out of the water at Lough Ramor, Virginia, County Cavan”.

They added that the man was subsequently taken to Cavan General Hospital “where he was later pronounced dead”. The garda spokesperson confirmed that a post-mortem examination on Mr Mulvaney’s body will be conducted “at a later date”.

CMG Body: “The office of the local coroner have been notified”.

Meanwhile, Gardai are appealing for information on a hit and run, in which a woman suffered serious injuries, that took place in Ashbourne in the early hours of Monday morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 1am and involved a car and a pedestrian. The car failed to remain at the scene.

The pedestrian, a woman aged in her 50s, was removed from the scene to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown to be treated for serious injuries.

Two men, both aged in their 20s, have been arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. One of these men has since been released from custody without charge. A file will now be prepared for the DPP.

Gardaí are appealing to any individuals with information to come forward. Anyone who may have been in the Frederick Street area between 12:45 – 1:30am and may have witnessed the incident or may have video footage (including dash-cam) is asked to contact Gardaí at Ashbourne Garda Station on 01 801 0600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Meghan Mallee's death on Saturday morning was one of a series of horrific tragedies over the weekend including the deaths of two teenagers after a car that is suspected to have been driven by a 13-year-old collided with a tree in the early hours of Monday morning outside Headford, Co Galway.

Kirsty Bohan, 14, and Lukas Joyce, 14, died in the crash which occurred before 6am on Monday.

A 15-year-old boy died in a quad bike incident in Co Laois on Sunday. The incident occurred at about 1.30pm and involved a quad bike with two males on board. The victim was subsequently named as David Brown from Portlaoise.

A woman in her 70s died in an accident involving a car and a pedestrian at around 10.45pm on Saturday night on the R183 Newbliss Road at Clonavilla in Clones, Co Monaghan.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Gardaí said no other injuries were reported.