Identities of four victims of fatal Tipperary crash confirmed

The identities of the four young people who died in the tragic road collision in Clonmel yesterday (August 25) have been confirmed. 

The three girls have been named as Zoey Coffey (from Kilsheelan), Grace McSweeney and Nicole Murphy, all eighteen years of age. 

The 24-year-old man who died has been named as Luke MacSweeney, brother of Grace. 

In a statement to the media today (August 26), Superintendent Kieran Ruane of Clonmel Garda Station said the following: 

"I want to express my condolences and sympathies and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Síochána to the families of the 4 young people who lost their lives yesterday evening in this single vehicle road traffic collision at Hillview, Mountain Road, Clonmel.

"Luke McSweeney, 24 years, his sister Grace McSweeney accompanied by Nicole Murphy and Zoey Coffey, all aged 18 years were travelling in a car, at approximately 7.30pm, which struck a wall and tragically all 4 occupants lost their lives at the scene.

"An Garda Síochána supported by other emergency services including Clonmel Fire Brigade, HSE Paramedics, Tipperary University Hospital and Tipperary County Council initiated a major incident response. 

"The scene at Hillview remains closed today and a technical and forensic examination is being carried out by An Garda Síochána Forensic Collision investigators.

"The remains of all 4 deceased were removed from the scene last night to Tipperary University Hospital.  An Garda Síochána have notified the local Coroner and Post mortems will be carried out over the coming days at Waterford University Hospital.

"An incident room has been established at Clonmel Garda Station and an investigation has commenced under a Senior Investigating Officer. An Garda Síochána's focus is the preparation of an investigation file for the Coroner.

"Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to each of the families to provide support and the families will be kept updated as to the course of the investigation."

He continued: "I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Síochána and the other emergency services who attended the scene last night. The scene was very difficult, in very adverse weather conditions and the professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown to the 4 deceased was exemplary.

"Our local communities in particular Clonmel, Kilsheelan and Ballypatrick are shocked and deeply saddened by these events. I want to assure our local communities that An Garda Síochána is here over the coming days, weeks and months to support our communities as we all come to terms with this tragedy. I have been in contact with the principals of the local secondary schools that the girls attended and supports are being put in place for the friends of all four deceased today and over the next few days.

"We want to take the opportunity to appeal to any person with any information on this road traffic collision to contact the investigation team at Clonmel Garda Station. 

"We want to speak with any person who may have any camera footage or images from the R678, Mountain Road and specifically the Hillview area between 7pm and 7.30pm to give that footage or images to the investigation team at Clonmel Garda Station.

"The investigation team can be contacted at Clonmel Garda station on 052 617 7640, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

"Finally, I once again want to express my sympathies to the families of Luke, Grace, Nicole and Zoey.

"The families have appealed for privacy at this time.

"May they rest in Peace."