Lives of two young people lost in Meath road collisions

Meath roads have claimed two young lives in the past week after a 23 year-old Kilcloon woman and a 32 year-old motorcyclist were killed in separate collisions in the county. Susan O'Reilly from Kilgraigue, Kilcloon, was involved in a single vehicle collision at Moynalvey, Summerhill, in the early hours of last Saturday morning and passed away in hospital on Monday morning. The death of a 32 year-old motorcyclist in a practice lap at the Kells Road Races on Saturday evening cast an enormous shadow over the event, which was attended by record crowds. Padraig Campbell, an up-an-coming rider from Moate, Co Westmeath, was killed during a practice lap on the Crossakiel circuit in Kells at around 5.45pm on Saturday. The devastated organisers had considered cancelling the event, but Mr Campbell's family insisted that the races go ahead in his memory. The tragedy was the first serious accident in the 15 year history of the event. Mr Campbell sustained fatal injuries when his Kawasaki bike crashed as he prepared to compete in the 201 to 400cc support event. Race secretary, Aileen Ferguson, extended the organisers condolences to the family of Padraig Campbell. "It was the express wish of the family that the races went ahead on Sunday. It was a hard call for us to make, but the family insisted they go ahead in Padraig's memory," she said. She said the success of the event was a fitting and great tribute to Padraig. "The club, officials and riders are all devastated, but they put on a fantastic show," she said. She paid tribute to all the riders and thanked the Campbell family for their bravery. "I would also like to thank everyone who showed us so much support over the weekend, who telephoned and sent e-mails and messages," she said. Among those who attended Sunday's racing was Sharon Neill, wife of the late Andrew Neill, who was killed at the Walderstown Races the previous Sunday. She was there to show her support for the racers and for her brother, Timmy Turtle. A minute's silence was observed in memory of Padraig Campbell at a meeting of Kells Town Council on Monday night. Cathaoirleach, Brian Curran extended the sympathy of the council his family. Padraig Campbell was an Athlone native who was living in Moate. An electrician by trade, he had lived in Dublin for a number of years before returning to the midlands to build his house in Fearmore, Moate. A fellow Moate resident and close friend of his, Aidan Heavin, said that Padraig was extremely devoted to racing and to motor bikes. A member of Fore Motor Cycle Racing Club, he had been involved in track racing for three years and was in his second year of road racing. Austin Dobson of the Fore Motor Cycle Racing Club stated that this was a particularly tough time for the sport given that this accident came so soon after the previous weekend's fatality in Walderstown. "It's a tragic situation. Padraig was a very nice, quiet fellow who went about his business. He'd always have a greeting for you whenever you'd see him and he was very popular with others in the sport," he said. "On behalf of the club I'd like to extend my sympathy to Padraig's family, his friends, and supporters, of which he had many." The deceased's funeral mass takes place at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Coosan, today (Wednesday) with burial afterwards to Coosan Cemetery. Local Gardai and the fire service attended the scene of the single vehicle collision at Moynalvey at around 2.30am on 18th July, in which Ms O'Reilly lost her life. The vehicle lost control and struck a tree. Ms O'Reilly was the driver of the vehicle and she was taken to James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, where she passed away two days later, at around 10.30am on Monday morning. The female passenger was also take to Blanchardstown Hospital, with minor injuries. A daughter of Brendan and Kathleen O'Reilly, Ms O'Reilly was from Kilgraigue, Kilcloon, but had been living at Kilbreena Green, Dunboyne. She had a six-year-old daughter. Ms O'Reilly is survived by her daughter Chloe, parents Brendan and Kathleen, brother Graham, grandmother Christina, relatives and friends. Her remains were removed to St Oliver Plunkett's Church, Kilcloon, yesterday (Tuesday) evening and Funeral Mass takes place there this morning, (Wednesday) at 11am, followed by burial to the Old Cemetery, Kilcloon. The latest fatalities bring to seven the number of people who have been killed on Meath Roads so far this year. In 2008, eight people died on Meath roads. However, these figures are well down on the previous average of 21 deaths per year and 30 people lost their lives on Meath roads in 2005.