Two in hospital after fatal car crash

TWO SIBLINGS remained in Dublin hospitals yesterday following a crash in Co Kildare early on Sunday in which their brother was killed.

James Scully (22), of Ballyhade, Castledermot, Co Kildare, died in the crash on the M9 near Ballytore, Co Kildare, just a short distance from the family home, at 2.45am. His sister Charlotte (30) and brother Paul (21) were seriously injured. They were initially taken to Naas General Hospital. Mr Scully was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital, while his sister was transferred to Tallaght hospital.

Gardaí said there were no other cars involved in the crash.

It appears that the white Citroen in which the three were travelling left the road between the Ballytore and Castledermot exits on the northbound carriageway in the direction of Dublin.

Fr Brendan Cantwell, Castledermot’s parish priest, said the deceased was a good-natured young man. “He was a grand chap; a very nice easy-going fella; it really is very, very sad.”

Fr Cantwell yesterday visited the siblings’ parents, Donal and Anne, who he said were struggling to come to terms with the news. “I called into them in the house yesterday and there were a lot of people there; they had a lot of support, but they were really and truly devastated.”

He said their grief was worsened by their worries for their two children in hospital. “From what I could gather Paul’s injuries are particularly serious and he will spend a good while in intensive care. Charlotte could be home a little sooner, they hope, but that anxiety, together with their devastation over James, has the parents traumatised.”