A mother and daughter lost their lives in a road collision between Fermoy and Ballyduff on Tuesday morning and have been named locally as Geraldine Clancy (58) and Louise Clancy (22) from Leitrim, Kilworth. They lived just over a kilometre from where the accident took place.

The driver of the other vehicle, a young female, was uninjured in the accident, which occurred along the R666 near the junction for the R667.

The incident was reported at 11.10am and fire services from Fermoy and Mitchelstown, as well as two ambulances and a number of garda personnel, were on the scene. It is understood that the deceased were on their way from their home to Fermoy when they were involved in the accident near the junction known locally as ‘the blind bridge’.

When the fire services arrived at the scene, the car was overturned in a deep pool of water. The occupants, who had become trapped in their car, were pronounced dead at the scene. The road remained closed for a number of hours to facilitate forensic collision investigators.

The parish priest of Kilworth, Canon Donal Leahy PP spoke to The Avondhu of his ‘deep shock’ at this terrible tragedy.

“I am in shock myself. I know the Clancy family so well – Ger and Louise and Ger’s husband Noel. We have had some lovely evenings with the family at The Stations down the years in their home and it’s unbelievable to think that such a tragedy could befall them. All the neighbours here are in shock as well and are in need of our prayers and support at this time,” he said.

Prayers and Rosary will be held on Christmas Eve at Ronayne’s Funeral Home and the removal will take place to St Martin’s Church on Saturday (Saint Stephen’s Day) from the funeral home at 11am for 12 noon Mass, followed by burial in St Michael’s Cemetery, Ballyduff.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the Clancy family on their great loss.