BANK HOLIDAY ROAD DEATHS:TWO YOUNG couples on their way from Waterford to Cork airport to go on a short break to Amsterdam were involved in a serious car crash early yesterday in which the two men were killed and their two female companions were injured.
The men were named as Brendan Donnelly (24), Beech Drive, Greenfields, Waterford, and father of one Lee Salkeld (26), Fairfield Park, Old Tramore Road, Waterford.
The other car involved in the crash had a male driver as its sole occupant.
He was arrested at Ballinacurra, Midleton, following an investigation.
It is understood Mr Salkeld’s family are originally from Britain and he is an only child.
Mr Donnelly is originally from Birr, Co Offaly.
His removal will take place from Boyd’s funeral home, Birr, tomorrow at 5.30pm to St Brendan’s Church, Birr.
The funeral Mass will take place on Thursday at 11am, with burial afterwards in Clonaughill Cemetery.
The dead men were the front- and rear-seat passengers in a Volkswagen Polo.
The other car, a Ford Mondeo, was travelling in the opposite direction.
The two men were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were removed to Cork University Hospital.
The crash happened at 2.45am yesterday on the N25 at Caherulton, Castlemartyr, Co Cork.
The scene is about 1½ miles outside Castlemartyr on the Midleton side on the main Cork to Waterford road.
The alarm was raised by a member of the public who contacted Midleton Garda station.
The two women were also taken to Cork University Hospital, where they are still being treated for their injuries but are in a stable condition.
The driver of the Mondeo is in his 20s and was being detained at Midleton Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death.
Local Fine Gael councillor Hilary Quinlan said it was terribly upsetting to see two young men lose their lives in such a way.
“It is so tragic. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved. It is so sad that this would occur on a bank holiday and we would have more deaths on the roads.”
The N25 at Caherulton was closed yesterday morning to facilitate an examination by forensic investigators.
Midleton-based Supt Flor Horan, who is heading the Garda inquiry, appealed for witnesses to come forward.
“They [the two couples] were travelling from Waterford and they were meeting a seven o’clock flight to Amsterdam this morning from Cork Airport,” he said yesterday.
“The scene now is being examined by our collision forensic investigator and our scenes of crime, and through the detention of the suspect here in Midleton, we are trying to piece together what happened.
“I would also like to use this opportunity to appeal for witnesses on that road this morning and to anybody who may have seen the Mondeo travelling from Midleton to Castlemartyr or the Volkswagen Polo travelling from Castlemartyr towards Midleton.
“I would ask them to contact Midleton Garda station.”
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or with any information to offer is asked to contact gardaí at Midleton on 021 4621550.
He said that people could also contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.