Heartbroken mum pays tribute to 'perfect blue-eyed boy' killed in horror crash in Mayo
James Daniels, 14, died alongside 19-year-old Harry Fagan on Friday when the car they were travelling in collided with a tractor near Ballyhaunis
The mother of a young teenager killed in a horror smash between a car and a tractor has paid tribute to her “perfect blue-eyed boy”.
James Daniels, 14, was killed in the collision on a country road in Co Mayo on Friday along with 19-year-old Harry Fagan. A third teen in the car suffered serious injuries and was taken to Mayo University Hospital.
His heartbroken mum Karen Coniffe last night posted on social media sharing his death notice and a photo of him.
She said: “Our sweet baby James has left us for an adventure beyond our comprehension. Our love for you is infinite James. Our Oh so perfect blue-eyed boy... Our whirlwind. Our Heart and Soul. Thank you for EVERYTHING!”
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The collision happened on the N83 at Levallyroe shortly after 8pm on Friday. The occupants of the car, James Daniels and a male aged 19 were fatally injured.
The driver of the tractor, a man aged in his 50s, was also taken to Mayo University Hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
James played for the local U14 GAA team and was last night remembered as a popular and “bubbly” young boy.
His death notice said the youngster had died “tragically after an accident” and was the “cherished son of Karen and Chris and much loved brother of Zachary”.
His funeral mass will be held on Tuesday at St Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad, followed by cremation at Shannon Crematorium.
Fine Gael Councillor Alma Gallagher said the two teenagers were well known and much loved in their community, and had bright futures ahead of them.
She added: “To have their lives cut short in such tragic circumstances is just devastating. There are no words to capture how we are feeling. Cloonfad and Ballyhaunis are united in grief and our main focus is to support their families and young friends at this time.
“My deepest condolences to both families who I know so well and their many friends.”
Gardai said a family liaison officer had been assigned to support the families of the deceased. A Garda spokesman said gardai and emergency services attended the scene of the fatal crash at Levallyroe, Co Mayo, on Friday evening.
He added: “Two occupants of the car, a male juvenile in his teens and an adult male in his teens were fatally injured. A third occupant, a male juvenile in his teens, was transferred to Mayo University Hospital where he remains in a serious condition.
“A family liaison officer has been assigned to support the families of the deceased. 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 at the time of the incident, are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.”
The treasurer of a local soccer team said everyone in the community is grieving following the deaths of the two teenagers.
Dermot Burke, treasurer of Cloonfad United FC, said the situation was “just mind-numbing”, adding that locals had been “enjoying a football match that was going to go ahead last night, and what unfolded was unbelievable”.
The crash, involving a tractor and a car, happened on the N83 after 8pm last night.
“James Daniels was a member of our under fourteen team, they won the one league a couple of weeks ago, he was very popular with all his friends and teammates,” Mr Burke said.
He added: “Harry Fagan’s family are famous with this club for fundraising, with volunteering especially. His brother was on the pitch last night, his cousins on the pitch.
“Everyone’s grieving, everyone’s dumbfounded and our condolences are with the families.”
It is understood that the car was travelling down the hill as a tractor with a trailer with bales was pulling out onto the road just before 8pm last night when the collision happened. It is also understood that the teenagers were on their way to watch a match.
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