Tributes paid to teenager named as victim of Co Down car crash
‘This has stunned the entire community, which faces difficult days ahead’
Cathal McCrory
Police are investigating the crash in Co Down.
The teenager who died in a crash in Co Down has been named as Cathal McCrory.
The 18-year-old was a passenger in a car involved in the single-vehicle accident in Katesbridge in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Two other people were taken to hospital. They have since been discharged.
Mr McCrory was from the Dromore area of Co Down.
A death notice said he was the “dearly loved son” of Peter and Pauline, a “loving brother” of Declan, Niamh and Ronan, a “cherished grandson” and “adored boyfriend”.
His partner Skye posted poignantly: “Forever 18. Sleep tight Cathal, I love you.”
So far this year, 58 people have died on Northern Ireland's roads. That is more than in the whole of 2022 (55 victims) and 2021 (50 victims).
Police were called to reports of a single-vehicle accident on the Circular Road at 12.30am on Saturday.
Officers provided first aid alongside colleagues from other emergency services.
However, Mr McCrory, a front seat passenger in a grey Volkswagen Golf, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Read more
The two others were not seriously injured.
Sergeant Miller-Devlin said: “We are appealing for information and witnesses.
"We would particularly ask anyone who was travelling in the area between 12.00am and 12.30am to review any dash-cam footage they may have captured and make contact with us by calling 101. The reference number to quote is 34 of 18/11/23.”
Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said it was “tragic news”.
He said: “I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Cathal’s family and friends after he tragically lost his life in a road accident in the early hours of this morning.
“This has stunned the entire community, which faces difficult days ahead.
“I hope that the friends of Cathal who were injured in the road accident will make a full recovery.
“I also wish to pay tribute to the emergency services for all their efforts at the scene and know that the local community will rally round all the families affected by this tragedy.”
Mr McCrory’s death is the latest in a series of tragedies on Northern Ireland’s roads.
Also on Saturday, the funeral took place of a 16-year-old who passed away on Tuesday from injuries sustained in a crash last month.
Dylan Vallely was one of three teenage boys injured following the collision in Camlough on October 28. The 16-year-old, from Newtownhamilton, had been in a critical condition in hospital following the crash.
His funeral took place at St Michael’s Church, Newtownhamilton.
Three people also died in a crash near Markethill.
Husband and wife Patrick and Ciera Grimley, and Ciara McElvanna, died in the accident on the Gosford Road on November 4.
Mrs Grimley and her husband, Madden Raparees GAA club secretary Mr Grimley, were on their way home from celebrating his 40th birthday at Dundalk races when the accident happened.
