Kilrea ‘numbed’ by double tragedy

Friends Christopher O’Neill and Declan McKenna died when their BMW car crashed outside the village of Kilrea in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Coleraine Sinn Fein councillor, Ciaran Archibald Councillor Archibald said that Christopher ‘represented all that is positive about modern Republicanism’. He added that Declan was ‘also very well-liked and popular in the local area’.

SDLP MLA John Dallat also sent his condolences to the local families saying: “Only those families who have been in this situation can begin to understand just how devastating it must be to get the call on the door that there has been such a tragedy.”

Mr Dallat’s party colleague, Kilrea SDLP councillor Roisin Loftus said that people in the town were finding it hard to take in the tragedy.

“The mood in the town is just one of total shock at what has unfolded here today,” she said.

“They’re two very popular young men, they had many friends in the area and the young people are just totally numbed by this.”

DUP MLA Adrian McQuillan called on the whole community to pull together: “I think it’s important we all pull together.

“I know that from talking to the community that everybody is willing to pull together and show these families the support, care and attention they will need.”

DUP councillor, Sam Cole described the accident as ‘horrific’, and added: “ This horrific accident has stunned the entire Kilrea community.

“I also extend my condolences to their families.”