Tributes paid to N80 road crash victim described as 'the perfect daughter'

The Tipperary woman, Denise O'Meara, who died following a road crash on the N80 in Carlow this week has been described as the "perfect daughter".

The young woman in her 30s, who was from Portroe, Co Tipperary, died following a crash between her car and a van at around 5.50pm in Ballintrane, Co Carlow.

Garda Inspector Paul Donohoe told KCLR that he had spoken with the family, who described the late Ms O'Meara as a "perfect daughter".

"She was educated, was starting out in life and had her whole life ahead of her," Inspector Donohoe said. 

Cllr Ryan O'Meara said there was profound shock following the death of the young woman. 

"As a public representative I want to express my sincere condolences to the family. It's a tragic loss, the loss of any life - but particularly a young life, is very hard to come to terms with. I know the entire area is shocked - her own parish of Portroe, but also the Nenagh area as a whole," Cllr O'Meara said. 

He added that he was also expressing sympathy not only as a public representative, but also on behalf of "a community that is trying to come to terms with such a tragic and sudden loss".

"It really does strike home when you see young lives being lost on the road like this and it really does affect a community in a profound way," Cllr O'Meara. 

She will repose at her home in Ballingear (V94 AO33) this Thursday and Friday from 5pm on both evenings. Her remains will arrive at St.Mary's Church Portroe on Saturday for Requiem mass at 12 noon.

Gardaí confirmed that Ms O'Meara was treated by emergency services at the scene but passed away from her injuries.

The O’Meara family are widely respected and well known in Portroe. 

Her father Denis runs a dairy partnership with his wife Maura. The couple have three other children, Declan, Triona and Eimear.

Following the crash, the two male occupants in the van were both airlifted from the scene to hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries.

An examination was carried out by Forensic Collision Investigators at the scene. 

Gardaí appealed to any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time of the collision are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tullow Garda Station on 059 915 1222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.