Derry prepares to lay teens to rest amid calls for St Johnston road safety measures

Amid calls for urgent action to install saferty measures on a St Johnston road where two teenagers lost their lives this week, a community in Derry is readying to lay the two friends to rest.

The funerals of Daniel Cullen and Caoimhin Porter-McLoone, both aged 18 and from the Shantallow area of Derry city, will take place this weeekend.

They were killed when the Vauxhall Corsa in which they were passengers collided with a Volvo lorry on Tuesday night at around 11.15pm on the R236 road. The driver of the car is being treated for his injuries in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

The Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, said the people of Derry would stand with those who are grieving.

"With the troubles, we have strong parishes here, not that they go to Church every Sunday but that they come together at times like this and the community is able to come together and support each other,” Bishop McKeown said on Barrscéalta on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

“They will get through these very difficult days, especially with the Funeral Masses at the weekend."

“There are people in this city who have lost family members in recent years, and they understand this, and that it’s not worth saying anything, but standing with the families and saying: ‘I understand, I understand, I understand’.

“It is incredibly difficult for the families and their friends and for young people who are under pressure, and we must come together as a city community and as God’s community in the parishes to support the families.”

The Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown

Tributes have poured in for the young men.

Don Boscos Football Club in Derry paid a touching tribute to former player Caoimhin.

“Everyone at Don Boscos is devastated at the news,” the club said. “Caoimhin was an extremely talented and popular player with our 2007 group for a number of years and to this day he remained very good friends with his teammates from that squad.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, his former coaches, teammates and friends at this sad time.”

As funeral plans are made by their bereaved families, there are calls for immediate road safety measures to be carried out in the Co Donegal village.

The fatal collision occurred on a stretch of the R236, close to the Presbyterian Church and the manse house, that has become notorious as a crash blackspot.

“I don’t know what it is about the bend, but it is definitely a black spot,” local Presbyterian Minister Rev Craig Wilson said. 

“My wife and I have often wondered why they don’t straighten the road and bring in some traffic calming measures.

“Our wall gets knocked down regularly. We have often thought that something should be done before there is a tragedy…now, we have families devastated and the loss of teenage lives is terrible. Hopefully some action will be taken.”

Less than 100 metres from the site of the double fatality, Raymond McDaid of McDaid’s Car Dismantlers says his business takes up to 20 calls a year about cars going off on that stretch of the main Lifford-Derry road.

“A couple of ramps could save lives,” he said. “I have been in business here for 55 years and accidents happen regularly here. We would take calls well over a dozen times a year and we’d go off with the fork truck to lift cars, either ouf of the ditch or out of the wall.”

Gardai at the scene of the collision. (North West Newspix)

A petition from local people is now calling for ramps and signage to be installed on the road and Mr McDaid says it shouldn’t have taken such a tragedy to get action.

“We are like a forgotten town here,” he said. “This would be very simple to sort out, but they need to take some of the ditch away to give vehicles some room. This shouldn’t have gone to this stage because this is a regular occurrence, but now the two deaths will bring a bit of spotlight on it.”

Donna-Marie Reynolds, who set up the petition, says that the road has been a location of concern due to numerous accidents. The road, she says, “poses serious safety risks that need immediate attention for the sake of all who use it”.

“Local residents and visitors have voiced their worries over the dangerous conditions, yet little has changed to remedy this ongoing problem,” she said.

The petition organiser says that implementing some safety measures would “undoubtedly save lives and prevent further heartache for families and the community…The cost of prevention is far less than the cost of a life, making these changes not just practical but essential.”

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Daniel Cullen was the beloved son of John Morrow and Sharon Cullen, and a loving brother to Joe, John Paul (twin), Bridie and Doniella.

Late of 13 Drumleck Gardens, he will be deeply regretted and sadly missed by his family and wide circle of friends.

Funeral arrangements will take place from the home of his sister Bridie at 33 Carranbane Walk, Shantallow, with further details to be announced.

Caoimhin Porter-McLoone was the beloved son of Stephanie and the late Darren, and a loving brother of Chloe, Hunter, Shea, Darren and Ben. He was a dear grandson of Eamon and the late Jacqueline Porter, and of Isobel McCloskey, and a cherished nephew and cousin.

Funeral leaving his home at Moyola Avenue on Saturday at 10:20am to St. Brigid’s Church, Carnhill for Requiem Mass at 11am with interment afterwards in the City Cemetery.