Unable to comprehend the carnage
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AN eerie silence descended upon Carrigeen shortly before 9.30am last Wednesday morning as hearses containing the still bodies of Áine Riordan and brothers Kevin and David Breen made their way from the tragic scene.
For over two hours rescue teams had worked diligently, removing victims from Kerry's highest road death incident since Easter 1995. Darragh Jones and Brian Coffey had earlier been brought to Kerry General Hospital. Brian would not survive.
Damage to the silver 00-KY Hyundai was extensive. Embedded in a tree, it faced off the road at right angles, its front pointed downwards into a steep ditch. The bonnet had remained largely intact, the driver and passengers had felt the full force of the impact.
In dry conditions, shrapnel from the impact lay strewn by the roadside, as did medications used by paramedics. Gardaí and NRA inspectors took measurements checking for skid marks – of which there were few. The road surface was good, no potholes. The teenagers had earlier made their way through many more dangerous bends on the hazardous N72, only to fall foul of the last significant turn before a long, straight stretch leading to Healy's Garage.
Local residents, meanwhile, watched on from afar, unable to comprehend the carnage that had occurred just yards from their doorsteps.
Nearby garage owner John O'Sullivan said he had no idea what lay instore as he travelled to work that morning.
"Dreadful, I couldn't believe what had happened here when I arrived as there were guards and fire crews at the scene. It is so sad for the families of the very young victims."
Later that day family members would visit the scene which had witnessed unimaginable carnage just hours earlier. Flowers were laid, prayers were said and tears were shed.
Those flowers remain and while many show signs of wilting, the memories of four Kerry teenagers are still very much alive and will remain so for some time.
- KEVIN HUGHES
