Families' appeal over road deaths

Two teenage girls and two men in their early twenties died in the crash near Lisnaskea at about 0330 BST on Sunday.

Seamus Leonard whose son, Peter, was among the dead, said no family should have to suffer such pain.

"Young fellas and young girls slow down, there is no need to bring this home to your doorstep," he said.

"I had to go to the mortuary and if anybody could have heard the wails of pain from the families."

Six people were in the car which struck a tree on the Lisnaskea to Newtownbutler Road.

Two girls and two men who were in the back seat were killed.

They were Anita Swift, 16, Jonathan McDonald, 21, both from Newtownbutler and Danica Mary O'Rourke, 17, and Peter Leonard, 21, both from Lisnaskea.

A 19-year-old man, arrested in connection with the accident, has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The arrested man, who was driving, and the front-seat passenger were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Peter Leonard was from Moorlough Road, Carrickmacusker, Lisnaskea. Jonathan McDonald was from Aghagay Park in Newtownbutler.

Anita Swift was from Magheravelly Road in Newtownbutler. Danica O'Rourke was from The Point, Attybarom, in Lisnaskea.

Anita, who was a world champion line-dancer, was the youngest victim, and her dance teacher, Aravon McCann, said she felt devastated by the loss.

"She lived life to the full - she was very talented, had lots to offer and was well-known throughout Ireland, England, Holland and America for her dance skills," she said.

Anita's sister, Sandra, said: "She danced everywhere she went, up-and-down the hall, all over the world, she just lived for dancing."

Veronica O'Rourke, the mother of Danica, said: "She would do herself up, and her friends. Getting to do wee bits; sometimes on their mothers. Doing their nails. "

Christine McCauley, Danica's godmother, said the family would never get over her death.

"I was thinking to myself that if she was in hospital and she was seriously injured you would still think there is still life, there is hope," she said.

"With this situation, it is the finality of it. It is the end, nothing is going to change."

Jonathan's sister, Dana, said he was the resident DJ in the local bar.

"He was so popular. The only thing I could say is that everybody knew him for his smiles and waves.

"He was the most friendly young fellow in the town. Everybody loved him and misses him."

Newtownbutler parish priest Father Michael King said the community was "devastated".

"People are calling to the accident site and are laying wreaths and putting flowers along the side of the road and visiting the site and praying there," he said.

"That, in itself, is an indication of the shock of the communities that have lost young people in this tragic accident."

A total of 65 people have been killed on Northern Ireland's roads so far this year.

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