Teenager who died in Achill road accident is named locally

THE parish of Achill woke up on Monday to news of the tragic death of a local teenager in a traffic accident in the early hours of the morning.

The 17 year old, named locally as Luca Callaghan from Owenduff, Achill, died when the Volkswagen Golf car he was driving struck a pole close to the Achill Head Hotel in Pollagh on Achill Island.

The teenager was the sole occupant of the car when the collision occurred on the R319 Keel to Dooagh road at approximately 12.45am. He is the first person to be killed in a road traffic collision in Mayo since the start of the year.

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Luca is the eldest son of Darren and Fidelma Callaghan. He was a former pupil of Coláiste Pobail Acla, where many of his friends were receiving support from teachers and staff throughout the day after news of his death broke.

Expressions of sympathy were expressed to the family of Luca at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council, where local councillor Paul McNamara said that the Achill community has been left shaken by the news.

“In Achill in the early hours of this morning, we were hit with a tragedy which has really rocked the community. The phone call or the knock on the door is what every parent dreads, and unfortunately this occurred in our community in the early hours of this morning. A young lad, who was only 17 years of age, whose world was his oyster, was tragically killed in a road accident. I want to send my sincere condolences to his family,” Cllr McNamara told the meeting.

The monthly meeting was adjourned for a 15-minute period as a mark of respect to the Luca’s family and other families who are grieving in Mayo as a result of recent tragedies.

Passion for cars

LUCA worked as an apprentice mechanic and had a passion for cars. He also operated his own valeting service for neighbours and friends. He was a talented rally driver, who at the age of 15 purchased his own Toyota Yaris, which he gutted and converted into a rally car that he raced at the Mayo Motorclub Autocross.

The main R319 Keel to Dooagh road was closed to traffic from early on Monday morning following the accident to allow Garda Forensic Collision Investigators carry out an examination of the scene. It reopened to traffic at approximately 12.30pm.

Following an initial investigation, it is understood that the car was travelling in the direction of Keel when it struck the pole close to the Achill Head Hotel. The impact then propelled the car into the wall of a nearby house before it came to a halt.

Residents of the area rushed to the scene after hearing the impact, and the emergency services were contacted, but the young driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardaí confirmed that the casualty was the sole occupant of the car, and it is believed that no other vehicle was involved in the collision.

Luca’s body was removed from the scene and brought to Mayo University Hospital for a post mortem to take place.

Luca is survived by his heartbroken parents, Darren and Fidelma; his brothers, Ciarán, Cody, Rhys and Dean, and his extended family and friends. His funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Gardaí investigating the death are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the vicinity. Anyone with video footage, including motorists with dash-cam, from the area at the time, is asked to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Westport Garda Station on 098 502 30, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.