Milltown remembers tragic students

By TONY GALVIN ON the first anniversary of one of Co Galway's worst ever road tragedies the ­people of the Milltown, Ballindine and Carrownurlar areas are remembering the four young students who lost their lives. A commemorative Mass was held in St Joseph's Church Milltown on Monday night and families of the victims were invited to share the event with members of the community which is still feeling the impact of the shocking event a year on. A special Mass is scheduled for Ballindine on Sunday, November 28. One year ago today (Wednesday), November 17, Sarah Byrne (20) from Headford; Maire Ní Chonghaile (19) from Baile na hAbhann, Connemara; Teresa Molloy (19) from Leitir Móir; Sorcha Rose McLaughlin (19) from Mulgannon, Co Wexford died as a result of a road traffic accident at Carrownurlar between Milltown and Ballindine. A fifth young woman, the driver of the car which collided into an oncoming truck in inclement weather conditions, Michelle O'Donnell from Inis Mór, was critically injured and is understood to still be recovering. The anniversary coincides with the introduction of a new nationwide speed camera system, Go-Safe, designed to make identified stretches of road safer for all motorists. The notorious stretch where the four girls were killed is not included in the published Go-Safe list but extensive traffic calming measures and warning signage have been put in place since the accident thanks to the efforts of local campaigners. Go-Safe areas Further up the N17, the approach road into Tuam from Gardenfield has been identified as a Go-Safe location as has a stretch between Knockdoe and Claregalway. On the N63 between Horseleap Cross and Culliagh North as well as two stretches between Moylough and Mountbellew have also been identified. A stretch of the Monivea road on either side of where it bisects the Claregalway-Oranmore N18 as well as several routes in the city environs including the Oranmore road are also included. In Milltown local activist Mary Hernon, who led the campaign for the Ballindine to Milltown road to be made safer, told The Herald that it was saddening to think it took such an awful tragedy to get action to make such a treacherous stretch of road safer but at least it has now been done and this was possibly the most fitting way of honouring these young ­people. She praised Galway Co Council and the NRA for their work on the section of road which has been an accident black spot for years, adding that matters had greatly improved since the new measures, including anti-skid surface and speed alert warnings had been put in place. Milltown shopkeeper Kay Gilligan told The Herald that people in the area felt it is important for the families to feel that their daughters have not been forgotten and although their memories of Milltown will be forever associated with sadness, at least they know that the area shares in their grief. To this end plans are in train to erect a permanent plaque at the site of the crash which had been marked with flowers on a regular basis since that terrible night a year ago when a pre-Christmas shopping trip to Sligo ended so tragically. A shrine has been maintained at the site by local man John Coyne over the year since the accident. Kay Gilligan hopes to raise money locally to erect the plaque and she keeps a photograph of the girls in her shop in remembrance of them. She spoke to some family members at the Mass on Monday night and said they took comfort in the fact that their loved ones were remembered in the locality. A holly wreath is to be laid at the crash site before Christmas as a further mark of remembrance. Gardai have advised all motorists to familiarise themselves with the new Go-Safe locations. They stress the objective is not to catch drivers but to encourage them to drive at a safe speed at all times. The Garda have also made it clear that that while the sections of road to be covered by the Go-Safe civilian operated vans are to be given special attention, there will be no let-up in their on-going efforts to tackle excessive speed and dangerous driving. Gardai will continue to man both marked and unmarked speed detection checks using a variety of equipment. The Go-Safe map will continue to be reviewed and locations can be changed to meet identified needs. Further details on the Go-Safe program can be obtained on www.garda.ie/gosafe