Gardai launch probe into horror car crash which killed four pals

A criminal probe has been launched into the deaths of four young women in a horrific car smash which shook the nation.

A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the tragic passing of Aisling Middleton, Niamh Doyle, Gemma Nolan and Chermaine Carroll in January this year.

Their pal Dayna Kearney was driving the car which collided with a van near Athy, Co Kildare.

She was in intensive care for a number of days and is continuing her recovery from home.

Gardai confirmed to the Irish Mirror that a file has been sent to the DPP, who will now decide whether or not any criminal charges will be brought.

A source said: “At this moment in time, all that can be said is that a file has been sent.

“Gardai took statements from all those who survived the crash. There have so far been no directions given by the DPP so it is a case where gardai will wait until they are told if there are to be charges filed.”

The four friends three aged 19 and one 20-year-old were killed when the car they were travelling in crashed near Athy, Co Kildare.

One avenue of investigation is that one of the tyres on the Volkswagen Polo blew out forcing the car to swerve into the direction of the van.

Gardai are probing a number of potential causes of the horrific crash.

Scene of the crash near Athy, Co Kildare in January

The smash has devastated the close-knit community of Athy.

The two men travelling in the van, a VW Transporter, were also treated in Naas General Hospital but escaped with only minor
injuries.

Tributes poured in for the women in the aftermath of the devastating accident. Gemma’s devastated parents, Josephine and Jim Nolan, told how their daughter was close pals with the other girls.

They said: “Gemma was just a wonderful daughter, she was adorable.

“She was best friends with the other girls all her life, and they went to St Leo’s College in the town together.

“They had been in Kilkenny but had wanted to stop over in Athy to pick up Aisling’s laptop.

“We got a phone call from one of the other mothers to say they were all coming to Carlow but then they hadn’t shown up and later she rang back to say she heard there had been an accident with five girls and she was afraid it was them.

“She was in second year in St Patrick’s College in Carlow and had just done her work experience in Saplings school for autism in the town.

“Our son identified Gemma in the morgue. It’s heartbreaking.

“The girls were always very happy together and they would be in and out of all our houses. They were great fun. They were all outgoing and sociable girls and a joy to be around.

“Gemma played the accordion in the Scoil Mhuire band as a child and she liked walking and ice skating and going to the gym.”

Irish Mirror