'The whole community are in shock': Tributes paid as teenage girl killed in Cavan road crash is named locally

The youngster, who has been named locally as 17-year-old Keeley McGivney, died when the tractor in which she was a passenger crashed into a ditch outside Loch Gowna at around 11pm.

The driver of the tractor, a 16-year-old boy, escaped uninjured.

It’s understood Ms McGivney had family connections in the area and was residing locally when the tragic events of last night unfolded.

Local Parish Priest Fr PJ Hughes said the local community had been left numbed by the tragedy.

“The whole community are in shock,” he said.

“She loved coming over here. For something like this to happen to a young girl who had her whole life before her, it puts everything in perspective.”

Those sentiments were echoed by local Cllr Philip Brady.

“She used to come here at weekends, bank holidays, school holidays and any time she could get an opportunity to come home.

“She made a lot of friends in the local area. It’s very hard on the family and local area.”

Meanwhile, gardaí are continuing to try and piece together the circumstances which led up to last night’s incident.

“Gardaí in Cavan are investigating a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision involving a tractor that occurred on the L2514 at Loughduff, Co. Cavan on Tuesday 30th May, 2023 at approximately 11p.m,” said a garda spokesperson.

“A female juvenile (aged in her late teens) was fatally injured when the tractor collided with a ditch. Her body has been removed from the scene to the mortuary in Cavan General Hospital where a post mortem will take place in due course.

“A male juvenile (aged in his late teens) who was driving the tractor was uninjured.

“Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.”

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 10.45pm and 11.15pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cavan Garda station on 049 436 8800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.