‘A dark day’ for Co Mayo as five die after crash and house fire

FINE Gael leader Simon Harris has called the loss of five lives in Co Mayo after a crash and a house fire “a dark day” for the local community.

A woman and two girls died after their car collided with a truck around 2pm yesterday in the Castlegar area.

Gardaí have yet to name the victims, but it is understood they are a woman in her 30s and her two daughters.

Her husband is understood to be working abroad, but has been informed of the tragic news with arrangements being made to bring him to Ireland.

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Postmortem examinations are due to be carried out in Mayo University Hospital while the scene of the crash was preserved for forensic testing.

Investigators have also encouraged members of the public not to share images of the crash scene.

It followed an overnight housefire in the Swinford area, where a couple in their 60s died.

Named locally as Tom and Eileen Mahon, an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blaze at the two-storey house.

Mr Harris, who is expected to succeed Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach, commented: “A devastating day for the people of Mayo.

“Thinking of the families and friends of the woman and two girls who have lost their lives in Castlegar and of Tom and Eileen Mahon, who died in a fire in Swinford.

“A dark day. I know the community will rally to support all those grieving.”

Local councillor Richard Finn added the whole country was “in shock” following both incidents.

“It’s a sad day for Claremorris and of course Swinford. Mayo had a bad run-in today,” he said.

“Your heart goes out to everybody involved and we want to offer our condolences to everybody involved and to the families, extended families and friends.”