Tributes paid to teen girl, 17, who died in tractor accident in Co Cavan while on holiday from UK visiting family
THE Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphries TD has led tributes to a teenager who died in a tractor accident in County Cavan overnight.
Keely McGivney, from London, was one of two teenagers travelling in the tractor at approximately 11pm on Tuesday night when it hit a ditch at Loughduff.
The accident occurred on the L2514, a narrow local road close to Middletown Cross.
The 17-year-old was fatally injured in the crash. Emergency services attended the scene and her body was subsequently removed to the mortuary in Cavan General Hospital.
A postmortem has been carried out. The driver of the tractor, a male also aged in his late teens, was uninjured.
Locals said Keely had just commenced her summer holidays and was staying with her extended family in Loughduff in County Cavan.
Keely routinely spent summer holidays with relatives on her mother’s side in the area and made many friends locally through her annual trips.
She was due to celebrate her 18th birthday with her Cavan friends in July.
Minister Heather Humphries who is a TD for the Cavan/ Monaghan constituency, extended her sympathy.
She said: “I just extend my sympathies to the family involved. In fact, I know some of the family members’’.
She added: “It really is heartbreaking when you hear that a young girl comes over from England on her holidays and is involved in a farm accident.
“It just goes to show you how dangerous it can be on the farm and we need to be aware of the dangers that are out there’’.
Local Fianna Fail TD and former Minister Brendan Smith said: “My thoughts and prayers are with all her family and friends at this very difficult time.
“Knowing this community very well I know that they will give all possible support to the bereaved family, who are highly regarded and very popular, at this very difficult time.”
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and were travelling in the area between 10.45pm and 11.15pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.