'There was enough sadness in the village’

A community has been left shocked and devastated in county Cork following a car collision which took the life of a local woman.

51 year old Gobnait Twomey was killed and 2 other women were seriously injured when a car struck them in Ballingeary village shortly after 1am on Tuesday morning.

It is understood the women were making their way home after attending one of 2 local funerals held in the town on Monday.

Ms Twomey was pronounced dead at the scene while the 2 injured women were rushed to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries.

The male driver of the car, who was in early 40s and his passengers were uninjured.

Ms Twomey’s death comes after a woman was killed in Macroom last Friday after being struck by a lorry while crossing the street in the town centre.

Speaking to the Cork Independent, local councillor Gobnait Moynihan said the local people are still in shock.

The Fianna Fáil councillor said: “It’s complete shock. There was enough sadness in the village up to that. It has very much hit the surrounding area as well. There is a fierce sense of community in Béal Átha (Ballingeary) and that will hopefully pull them through the next few days and the next few weeks going into Christmas. Christmas is a time where you'll really notice somebody's absence.”

Cllr Moynihan added that the injured women are “doing okay, physically”.

Ms Twomey’s death was followed later on the same day by a road traffic collision in Millstreet in which a man in his 30s was killed.

The collision, involving a car and a truck, occurred on the Drishane Road at approximately 5pm on Tuesday. The driver and sole occupant of the car was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Cllr Moynihan continued: “You wouldn't have one of them in a year locally and to have 3 of them within a few days of each other is just unbelievable. Within a short proximity, we've had just desperate sadness.”

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to either incident to come forward and have confirmed that investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Macroom Garda Station on 026-20590, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111, or any garda station.