WITH YET more local lives lost on our roads this week, a Fermanagh minister has made an emotional plea for urgent action to tackle the continuing carnage.
Just hours after Rev Rebecca Guildea pleaded for change at the funeral of 18-year-old Oisin Gregg on Sunday morning, Fermanagh’s roads claimed yet another victim, with Lisnaskea man Ollie Murphy losing his life in a single vehicle collision in Roslea.
Visibly moved by the tragedy of Oisin’s death, Rev Guildea told a packed Slavin Parish Church, “There are questions we need to ask – this young man did not have to be here today.”
She added she was not going to say Oisin’s death had been part of God’s plan, instead stating “the number of young people who died on our roads in this part of the world, is something that grieves the heart of God.” Rev Guildea called for everyone. including local politicians, to make “changes.”
Just hours after Oisin was laid to rest, emergency services were called to the scene of a serious one-vehicle collision, involving a motorcycle, in Roslea at around 10.30pm on Sunday night.
That accident sadly claimed the life of well-known local man Ollie Murphy, formerly of Coolnasillagh, in Lisnaskea.
Local Cllr Noeleen Hayes, said she was “saddened” to hear that yet another life has been lost on the Fermanagh roads.
“I’m saddened to hear of the tragic death of Ollie Murphy in an accident in Roslea on Sunday,” Cllr Hayes told the Herald.
“I’d like to send my deepest condolences to all his family and loved ones. You are all in my thoughts.”
Police are investigating the circumstances around Mr Murphy’s death.
“An investigation to establish the circumstances is now underway,” Inspector Cherith Adair said in a statement.
“The Collision Investigation Unit is appealing to anyone who may have any information which may assist, or who may have been travelling in the area at the time and captured any dash-cam or mobile phone footage, to get in touch. The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1697 of 16/06/24.”
Mr Murphy is survived by his parents Stephen and Angela (Née Little), his brothers Gregory (Sinead), Padraig (Vanessa), Maurice (Fiona), Damien (Anne) and his sisters Stephenie (Sophie), Lisa Kiernan (James) and Amanda Oldfield (Alex).
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