County Tyrone: Men killed in Garvaghy crash named

The crash happened on the A5 Omagh Road in Garvaghy in the early hours of Monday

The three men who died in a crash involving a car and a lorry in County Tyrone on Monday have been named locally as Nathan Corrigan, Peter Finnegan and Peter McNamee.

The crash happened on the A5 Omagh Road in Garvaghy at about 01:50 GMT.

Police said the men, who were all in their 20s, died at the scene of the crash.

A fourth man, also in his 20s, was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries.

The three men who died and the man who was injured were in the car.

The driver of the lorry was not hurt, police said.

Police at the scene of the crash

Parish priest in Beragh, Monsignor Colum Curry, was at the scene of the accident on Monday.

"It was a horrific accident - a lot of debris scattered over the road, the car was on its roof," he told Good Morning Ulster.

"The whole event just reminded me that life is precious and very fragile."

'Awful event'

Monsignor Curry said there was little people could say to the bereaved families.

"I suppose the best we can do is just try to be present and help them in some small way just to cope with the darkness of this awful event," he said.

"It has just been a huge shock to everybody."

The crash happened close to a filling station on the Omagh Road

St Ciaran's College in Ballygawley tweeted that Mr Corrigan and Mr Finnegan were past pupils.

"We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the families of two of our past pupils, Nathan Corrigan and Peter Finnegan, who tragically passed away yesterday and also to the family of Peter McNamee," it said.

"We will keep the young man currently in hospital in our prayers. St Ciaran, pray for them."

'Words are hard to find'

GAA clubs in County Tyrone also offered their condolences to family and friends affected by the accident.

Beragh GAA club said both Nathan Corrigan and Peter McNamee were past youth members.

"Words are hard to find to express the sadness of the local community about the heartbreaking events of Monday morning," the club said.

The crash happened close to a crossroads

The collision happened close to Tyrone's GAA training ground.

Goalkeeper Niall Morgan said it was a "sobering moment" when the players were re-routed on their way to the complex after the collision.

"It's going to be a real tough time for [the families] but if there is anything the Tyrone set-up can do for them, we are close by," said Mr Morgan.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact them.

SDLP councillor Sharon McAleer said the community was "stunned and devastated" by the deaths.

Ms McAleer, who knew two of the victims, said the group had been heading home from a Boxing Day night out.

"[The families] are just in shock," she told BBC News NI. "Their sons headed out dressed up to go on a night out and never came home.

"These families are very community-orientated and are very much part of everything that goes on in the community."

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill tweeted that the news was heartbreaking.

West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley said the deaths had shocked people in the area.

"The scale of this tragedy has stunned the entire community but everyone will rally around to support all those affected in what will be difficult days ahead," said the Sinn Féin politician.

SDLP assembly member for the area Daniel McCrossan said he had concerns about the safety of the A5 road.

"I heard the news and I was very, very concerned about the profound impact this will undoubtedly have on each and every person that knows those young lads," he said.

"It is an extremely dangerous, extremely difficult road for people to travel on and it's absolutely essential for people to travel on because they have no alternative."

The Omagh Road had been closed while crash investigators examined the scene but it has since reopened.