Armagh road crash tragedy: Tributes paid to four friends who brought ‘happiness and laughter’

Four young friends killed in a road crash tragedy in Co Armagh have been remembered for the happiness and laughter they brought into other people’s lives.

Their deaths on Sunday have sent shockwaves throughout the community, with friends and work colleagues of the four victims paying tribute to them and telling of their devastation.

They were named locally as mother-of-one Marina Crilly from Ballymacnab, Emma Mallon from Middletown, Phil Mitchell from Markethill and Keith Morrison from Tynan.

All four were killed when the Volkswagen Golf they were travelling in struck a tree at Ballynahonemore Road, near Armagh, at around 2.10am on Sunday.

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It is understood the car burst into flames when it hit the tree.

The four passengers, all aged in their twenties, were declared dead at the scene.

Greenpark Nursing Home, where Marina worked, paid tribute to the young woman in a post on Facebook.

“Following the tragic news over the weekend of the four lives lost our hearts go out to all families involved,” it said.

“It is a sad day in Greenpark today as management, staff and residents are devastated of the loss of our colleague and friend Marina.

“We express our deepest sympathy to the Crilly family and Marina’s mum Sally also our loving colleague and friend.”

Tribute was also paid to Emma from Mullans Spar in Armagh, where she worked.

It said on social media: “Emma was not only a loyal employee, but a friend to both staff and customers alike, always helpful and smiling.

“Another life taken too soon.”

Both Marina and Emma previously attended St Patrick’s High School in Keady. A friend of the two women wrote on Facebook that there were “absolutely no words” to describe the devastation.

“Complete heartache, I’ll miss you girls so much & forever in my heart,” she said.

Another friend said they had left “this world too fast”.

“You both could light up a room with your smile,” she said.

“Thank you for all of the laughter and unforgettable memories from work. I will miss you so very much! Forever in my heart. Rest in peace beautiful girls”

A death notice for Keith said he was beloved son of Alwyn and Lisa, loving brother of Denise, Georgina, Emily and Melanie, step son of Christine Wright.

Haffeys Sports Grounds in Portadown where he worked said it was “completely shocked and saddened at the sudden death of our beloved Keith”.

“Keith has been a part of the Haffey Sportsground family since he was fifteen when he came to work during school holidays alongside his father Alwyn who managed our garage and yard,” it said.

“Since then Keith has become an integral part of our team driving lorries and tractors, maintaining sportsgrounds all over the island of Ireland.”

Other tributes from pals saw him remembered as an “absolute gentleman” and a “good friend” who would be “badly missed about our place, we had plenty of craic and slagging along the way”

Phil was the beloved son of Janet and Roy, dearly loved brother of Keith, Andrew and Tracey, according to a death notice.

His family have asked for donations in lieu of flowers for Air Ambulance NI and said he would be “forever in our hearts”.

The Motorsport Hub paid tribute to Phil, who had been a junior rally driving champion.

“Awful news to hear that one of the car crash victims in Armagh over the weekend was Phil Mitchell,” it wrote.

“An experienced competitor especially in the junior categories, he was the 2019 Junior Border Rally Champions.

“Thoughts are with the family circle at this time.”

A friend of Phil wrote: “Four souls just gone in the blink of an eye, rest in peace, may god give your loved ones the strength to face the dark days ahead”

Another pal also wrote of how he was due to be his best man at his wedding this summer.

“Devastated, don’t have words for it will miss the phone calls and and the craic, will be a big empty space in August without my best man. Rest easy Phil.”

Funeral details for all four victims have yet to be released.

There had been 15 deaths on Northern Ireland’s road so far this year, an increase from 13 by the same point in 2023, and more than double the seven by March 24 in 2022.