The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident on Saturday in which two teenage girls died was under age and did not have a licence, according to a local source. The boy's 15th birthday is this week.
The deaths in Co Antrim of Catherine Graham (14) and Christina Maguire (15) brought the North's road deaths total so far this month to 18. The girls died when the van in which they were travelling struck a tree near Toomebridge.
Two youths who were travelling in the van, one of whom was driving, are stable in hospital while another teenage girl escaped with minor injuries. The Irish Times was told last night by an authoritative source that the parents of the young driver returned from holiday yesterday where they had been told of the fatal accident.
The PSNI would not confirm whether the boy was under age or whether he would face any criminal charges.
Four died at the weekend just passed - 11 of those killed so far have been 18 or younger.
Mr Patrick Graham spoke yesterday of the death of his only daughter, saying the gravity of his loss had yet to be fully appreciated. "I have three sons. Catherine was the only girl and she was like a second mother to the boys. She was a ball of fun and joy." He added: "It just hasn't sunk in yet."
Another of those who died at the weekend was buried yesterday. Mr Peter Heavron (18) died on Saturday when his car left Aughrim Road in Magherafelt, Co Derry. His funeral was held in the town yesterday.
Questions are being raised about the North's system of restricting learner and newly-qualified drivers to just 45 m.p.h. for the first year of their full driver's licence.
Drivers must display an "R" plate, similar in design to a learner's "L" plate for 12 months after they pass their test and must not exceed 45 m.p.h. It is thought this is preventing new drivers from being taught skills necessary for higher-speed driving.