Tributes have been paid to four members of the Nigerian community in Longford who were killed in a car crash in Co Westmeath last weekend.
Fawny Akenbor (45), her cousin Queenent Esezobor (43), along with Pat Jeeti (42) and her 10-year-old daughter Jessica Jeeti, who were all originally from Nigeria and living in Clonbalt Woods area of Longford town, were travelling home from Dublin on Saturday morning following an overnight prayer meeting when their car was involved in a collision with another vehicle outside Mullingar.
Josephine Stroker, community development officer with Longford Community Resources Ltd (LCRL) said the women all played active roles in the local African community.
“We are all very saddened by the loss. The African community in Longford is devastated, words cannot express how tragic this is,” said Ms Stroker. “All their children have grown up in Longford. They are very well respected in the community.”
All four victims were part of the local Redeemed Christian Church of God, whose pastor, John Aja, is on the board of directors at LCRL.
Gardaí are continuing their appeal for witnesses to the car crash, which took place on the N4 just outside Mullingar on Saturday morning.