Community in mourning after crash

Kevin Gorman was in his early 20s

Friends of four police officers killed in a car accident in the Mourne area on Sunday have spoken about a community's shock.

One young police officer who lost his life in Sunday's car accident leaves a daughter and was looking forward to the birth of a second baby.

Kevin Gorman was one of the youngest killed. He was 24 years old and came from a well-known family in Drumaness.

Mr Gorman's mother, Jackie, is chair of the local Gaelic Athletic Club.

He leaves one brother, Shane.

Mr Gorman played both gaelic football and soccer. On the day before he died, he scored a winning goal in a soccer match.

SDLP councillor Anne McAleenan visited his mother on Sunday.

She knew him as a child and said he was "a cheery big fellow who was well liked and was involved in lots of activities in the community".

"He will be sadly missed," she said.

"There is a big family circle and the family are well-known and well-liked and this sudden death has come as a shock to the whole community."

Declan Greene's family are suffering a second tragedy

The family of part-time police officer Declan Greene, 39, had already experienced tragedy with the deaths of three generations in a fishing tragedy.

In February 2002, Declan Greene's uncle, cousin and second cousin died when their boat, the Tullaghmurry Lass, sank off the south Down coast.

It was the dedication of police divers at that time that impressed him and led to his decision to join the police, Alex Slater from the Fishermen's Mission said.

"He was impressed by the police divers who worked hard to recover the bodies of his relatives.

"He was very impressed by Inspector Neill and all the work that went on at that time, how sensitive the police were and how concerned they were to make sure the bodies of his relatives were recovered."

Mr Slater said Mr Greene wanted to serve a wider community and bring help to those facing tragedy.

It is understood he was married with children and was widely respected in the Kilkeel area.

Kenneth Irvine was a young fellow who was full of life, who wanted to do things to help the community, to make life better for everybody William Burns DUP

Kenneth Irvine, 30, leaves behind a young family.

DUP councillor for Newry and Mourne William Burns said he had known him for most of the Kilkeel man's life, and described his death as a "blow to the community".

He said Mr Irvine, was a member of Ballyvea Orange lodge and a keen musician, and recalled how he had come and asked him about what the role of a police officer entailed.

"I would like to pass on my condolences to all the families," he said. "Words cannot describe what the community feels.

"I am a local councillor for 15 years and I have known Kenneth through different things," he said.

"He was a young fellow who was full of life who wanted to do things to help the community, to make life better for everybody."

Constable James Magee was a 27-year-old full-time police officer in the area.

Constable Magee seemed to be good with the public. He was a good officer and he had a great future ahead of him Desmond Patterson UUP

Desmond Patterson, an Ulster Unionist councillor in Down and former vice chairman of the District Policing Partnership said he came across as "very competent" and someone who had showed great promise in his work.

"He went about his duties very well and when I was working with him, he seemed to be very good with the public.

"He was a good officer and he had a great future ahead of him."

Mr Patterson said the community in the Mourne area were "devastated" by what had happened and their thoughts were with the men's families.

The Orange Order expressed its sympathy to the families of the four police officers who lost their lives in the accident.

It said "Constable Kenny Irvine was an active member of the Orange Order and Royal Black Institution in the area and held office in both organisations".