This article is from page 3 of the 2006-04-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
THE tightly knit community in Kilmihil is preparing to say goodbye to one of its young people this evening following a fatal road traffic accident at the weekend.
Trainee Garda Martin Coen, from Lackeen, lost his life during the early hours o f Saturday morning, when his car hit two horses at Garlow Cross in Navan, Co Meath.
It is believed the 26-year-old had been working in Kells Garda Station since the beginning of the year. Described by colleagues as a “promising garda” with a promising career ahead of him, Martin was due to graduate from the Garda College in Templemore, in the coming months.
The young garda was the sole occupant of the car that collided with two horses at 5.50am on Saturday. The two animals also died in the accident. Gardai in Navan are investigating the incident.
A GAA enthusiast, Martin played football for Kilmihill. He attended primary schools in Kilmihill and was also a past pupil of the Community College in the village. He was the youngest son of Ann and Billy and brother to Mandy and Brendan. He is also survived by nieces and a nephew. Martin will be buried with full Garda honours after noon Mass in St Michael’s Church, Kilmihil, tomorrow (Wednesday).
Meanwhile, the Shannon based Irish Coastguard helicopter airlifted a critically injured motorist after his car lost control and struck a wall in north Clare on Sunday evening.
The 23 year old sole occupant of the vehicle was only yards from his home, at New Quay, when his car swerved across the road before colliding with a stonewall.
Emergency services from counties Galway and Clare rushed to the scene, on the main Ballyvaughan to Kinvara road, shortly after 5.00pm.
Fire engines from Ennistymon and from Gort assisted an ambulance crew in removing the victim from the wreckage. An off-duty member of the ambulance service, who assisted colleagues at the scene, sought the assistance of a helicopter, such was his concern for the condition of the injured man.
The Shannon based Irish Coastguard helicopter, which was in the area at the time, made its way to the scene.
The chopper set down in a field next to the crash site and the injured man was quickly airlifted to University College Hospital in Galway where his condition was described yesterday as “serious, but not lifethreatening”.