THE Lisnaskea community has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of 18 year old Pearse McElroy.
The three vehicle collision which claimed the young man’s life occurred just after 10pm on Monday night (1 October). Police, ambulance and fire crews attended the scene on the Moorlough Road between Lisnaskea and Newtownbutler.
A woman was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries which are not believed to be life threatening. The road remained closed overnight and reopened just after 9.30am on Tuesday morning.
Commenting on the tragic accident local MLA Sean Lynch, pictured below, who is an uncle of the young man who died, said, “It’s very difficult for the family who are trying to come to terms with it. It’s devastating, particularly for his mother, father and two younger sisters. He had only started work and got his own car and independence. It all ended tragically on the road on Monday night.”
Cllr Garbhan McPhillips extended his condolences to the family, “There has been another tragic accident on our roads and another family are mourning the loss of a loved one. My condolences go out to the Lynch family on their loss, they will be in my thoughts and prayers over the next few days.”
Mr McPhillips also drew attention to the road conditions in the area, “The question has to be asked as to how many lives have to be lost on our roads before something is done about their condition. Our roads at present are in an awful state of disrepair.
“I’m not saying that road condition had anything to do with this or indeed other tragedies but their condition certainly wouldn’t be helping them.The condition of our roads has to be looked at with immediate effect.”
Pearse, a former pupil of  St Kevin’s Lisnaskea, has been described as a ‘hard working young man’ who was always ready and willing to help out in his community.
Gary Kelly, principal at the school said: “I have fond memories of one of our past pupils – Pearse Mac Giolla Rua who was tragically killed in a car accident on Monday night and the mother of two of our students who was injured in the same accident.
Pearse was a very hard working young man who obtained a brilliant full set of top grades at GCSE with us before going on to study Engineering, Construction and Agriculture at A-level here in St. Kevin’s.”
“While he was a great scholar and academic, having completed his GCSE Irish in Year 9 many of his school friends will recall his passion for practical skills.
“His real love was his fantastic practical skills. Pearse was responsible for building 3 Whole school stage sets for ‘Beauty & The Beast’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and also ‘The Real McCoy’.”
Sorcha Ni Mhurchu principal at Bunscoil An Traonaigh said the school community was absolutely devastated.
“He was a very well mannered and pleasant child at school and from still having contact with his mother I believe he continued to work hard after finishing school. Our sympathies go out to the family.”
The PSNI are investigating the circumstances of the collision and are now appealing for information from anyone who witnessed the collision to get in touch on the non-emergency number 101.