Tributes paid to elderly Cork couple killed in two-car collision

Tributes have been paid to an elderly couple from north Cork who died after they were involved in a two-car collision on the main Cork-Limerick Road near Mallow on Tuesday afternoon.

Con and Mary McCarthy, from Velvetstown in Buttevant, were fatally injured when their Toyota Avensis was in collision with another car near the entrance to Mallow General Hospital on the N20.

The couple, who were both aged 76, died at the scene and their remains were removed to Cork University Hospital where Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster carried out postmortems.

The driver of the other car involved in the collision, a woman in her late 20s was uninjured in the crash, but was badly traumatised and was treated by paramedics for shock at the scene.

News of the deaths, which happened about 5pm, was greeted with shock in Buttevant where Mr and Ms McCarthy were well known for their involvement in various activities in the local community.

‘Terrible news’

Local parish priest Fr Michael Fitzgerald paid tribute to Mr McCarthy, who was originally from west Cork, and Ms McCarthy, who was originally from Mayo, as he recalled them with fondness.

“We had confirmation here in Buttevant and it was all joyful and happy and then that all changed when we heard the terrible news about Con and Mary.

“They were a lovely couple, they were well known and well regarded in the community and we remembered them at Mass this morning.”

Mr McCarthy was very involved in the IFA and was also very active in Fine Gael. Former Fine Gael county cllr Tom Sheahan spoke with great sadness about his close friend and supporter.

“Con was a fine fellow. He was a staunch Fine Gael man and very involved in the IFA and when he got involved in anything he did so whole heartedly. There were no half measures with him,” he said.

“Mary was a lovely lady and they were a great couple. If you had a nation of people like them we would be going somewhere, it really is very sad for their family and for everyone in Buttevant.”

Mr Sheahan also recalled that Mr McCarthy was a passionate GAA follower who was involved in the local Buttevant club as well as being a staunch and committed supporter of the Cork footballers.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be finalised for the couple, who are survived by their three sons, John, David and Conor, two of whom live locally while the third is in Australia.