The distraught fiancée of a young Longford man who was knocked down and killed after being struck by a Bus Éireann bus last night has told of how the pair had planned to get married later this month..
Shirley Dempsey revealed how her life has been turned upside down following the tragic death of her boyfriend Martin McDonnell (19) in Longford town yesterday evening.
The young Longford man was fatally injured as he walked along the Convent Road area of the midlands town shortly after 6pm.
READ MORE: Man dies in accident involving bus in Longford - a year after he lost older brother in car crash
In a heart-breaking tribute, Shirley said both she and Martin were looking forward to getting married in Northern Ireland in three weeks time. “You were my whole life,” she said.
“I’d give my life just to have you back. I just can’t come to terms that God took you away from me and I will never understand why.
“All We had was each other and you told me that everyday. We were going to the north in three weeks to get married and were going to keep it a secret until the day.”
The late Mr McDonnell’s sister, Helen also took to social media and said she had been left numbed at the news. “My poor brother Martin, he didn’t deserve this,” she wrote.
Details surrounding the tragedy come just over a year since the late Mr McDonnell spoke at his older brother Ciaran’s funeral mass following a single vehicle accident outside Granard on New Year’s Day.
“I don’t even know where to start,” he told mourners at the time. “Our hearts are broken into pieces. You were one of a kind and you were my best friend.”
He said despite the enormity of the past few days, the memory of his late brother would continue to live on. “I promise you I will do you proud,” he added.
“You are my hero and I will always love you. You were simply the best. You will be missed and you will always be in our hearts.”
A full garda forensic collision investigation is currently underway at the junction of Convent Road and New Street in Longford town where last night’s tragedy unfolded.
The Bus Éireann bus which had been turning onto the Convent Road at the time of the incident remains at the scene with both ends of New Street remaining cordoned off to traffic.
The bus at the centre of the incident had been travelling from Cavan to Athlone, Bus Eireann confirmed in a statement, who also revealed there were no reported injuries to either the driver or passengers that were onboard at the time.
“This is a sad and shocking event and the sympathies of everyone at Bus Éireann are with the family and friends of the deceased,” said its Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Kent.
“We are grateful to the Gardaí and emergency services for their rapid response and we will support the investigation fully.”
Longford Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry Hagan said the local community had been left in a state of shock over the tragedy. "It's a tragedy at any time of the year, but especially so with it being Easter week," he said.
"On behalf of the Longford community I would like to take this opportunity to extend deepest sympathies to the family of the young man."
Gardaí, in the meantime, are continuing to appeal to motorists and members of the public who may have witnessed yesterday’s incident to come forward.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have video footage (including dash-cam) is asked to contact Gardaí.
Gardaí can be contacted at Longford Garda Station on 043 335 0570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
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