There is a "palpable" sense of sadness in Clones. That's according to the Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council David Maxwell following the deaths of 17-year-old Kiea MCann and 16-year-old Dlava Mohamed this week.
The girls, who were students of Largy College in Clones, were travelling to the school's Debs Ball when the accident happened at 6:45pm on Monday. Speaking on this morning's Joe Finnegan Show, Cllr Maxwell said that it's "hard to put into words" the tragedy that unfolded on Monday evening.
He highlighted that for many, the scale of the tragedy was only brought home when the remains of both girls returned to Clones earlier this week. Hundreds lined the streets to show their solidarity and support for the McCann and Mohamed families.
According to Cllr Maxwell, the people of Co Monaghan area are still in "deep shock" over the tragic events that unfolded this week. He added that the funerals of both Kiea and Dlava which took place yesterday were particularly hard for the friends of both teens, who had to say goodbye for the last time.
"It really is so hard to put into words," explained the local Fine Gael representative. "We witnessed the friends of Kiea and Dlava on both evenings and yesterday at the funerals, and I think that really brought the tragedy that unfolded on Monday evening home to people when they seen the coffins and had to say goodbye for the last time to their best friends."
