A vigil has been held in Strabane for the victims of a road collision in Co Tyrone.
The victims from Strabane – named locally as Dan McKane, Christine McKane and their aunt Julia McSorley – died when the minivan they were travelling in collided with a lorry near Aughnacloy early on Thursday morning.
Emergency services attended the scene and four other people were taken to hospital.
Read more: A5 crash: Three family members killed in Co Tyrone crash named locally
The vigil took place at the Grotto in Strabane, with hundreds of people coming out to remember the victims and show support to the McKane and McSorley families.
Mourners filled the Grotto, while more lined the surrounding streets.
A moment of silence was observed and a candle was lit for each of the victims.
Father Declan Boland thanked those in attendance.
“Your presence here this evening is deeply appreciated,” he said.
He added: “We’re all at a loss of what to say, how to respond but we respond in the deepest way possible we gather together as a community of faith.”
Father Boland expressed condolences to the family on behalf of the community in Strabane.
“We’re standing in silent solidarity this evening with the McKane family, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss,” he said.
A mass was also held in Aughnacloy in memory of the victims.
The incident has incited calls from politicians and community figures that the A5 road, where the incident occurred, is upgraded and made safer.
A much-delayed plan to upgrade the road from Aughnacloy to Newbuildings with dual carriageway has been beset by a number of legal challenges.
A group campaigning for the delivery of the delayed A5 road project were among those leading the calls for action following the deaths.
The A5 Enough is Enough campaign was set up by Tyrone GAA earlier this year, whose Garvaghey headquarters sits just off the main road.
Chairperson of the group Niall McKenna said families and communities had been left ‘totally devastated by crashes on the road.
“On behalf of the A5 Enough is Enough campaign we are heartbroken to learn of the devastating road traffic accident on the stretch of the A5 road between Aughnacloy and Ballygawley,” McKenna said.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of all those who have lost their lives.
“Yet again, because of the delay in building a new road, families and communities are left totally devastated. We are acutely aware of the human impact of these all too regular events.
“Our thoughts and prayers are also with everyone involved in this tragic accident including those who were injured and all those who helped at the scene.
“We are mindful of the impact on emergency services, first responders, as well as the medical personnel in the various hospitals.”
Part of an interim report published by the Planning Appeals Commission in 2020 into the development found that the section between Aughnacloy and Ballygawley provided ‘no significant benefits’ and was a case of ‘overprovision’.
“Such conclusions around lack of benefits and overprovision will offer no comfort to those family members and friends grieving for their loved ones now,” McKenna added.
“Since the Interim Report was published in September 2020 there have been at least 171 road traffic accidents on the A5 which have resulted in 12 deaths and numerous significant injuries associated with these accidents.
“We trust that the ‘overprovision’ finding will be revisited during the upcoming Public Inquiry.”
“The construction of the road has unfortunately been delayed for years due to legal challenges. We would appeal to the relatively small number of people opposed to the new A5 scheme to reconsider their position in light of the ongoing carnage and loss of lives on the A5 road.”
A third public inquiry into the road project is due to begin next month, with the Enough is Enough group hosting an information evening in the Silver Birch Hotel in Omagh on 9 May ahead of its 15 May start date.
The A5 Western Transport Corridor upgrade was first passed by the NI Assembly in 2007, yet 16 years later and with more than £90million having been spent on it, no tarmac has been laid.
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