WEXFORD COUNCILLORS HAVE expressed their condolences for the families of the two men killed in a light aircraft crash last night near Duncormick.
The crash took place at 5.45pm yesterday. The men took off from Ardenagh in Co Wexford and it is believed that their aircraft got into difficulty within minutes.
Local independent councillor and member of the emergency services Ger Carthy visited the scene of the crash last night. He said the whole community near Duncormick is in shock and mourning today.
“It’s a tragedy of unspeakable proportions and it’s really left this rural community in shock,” Carthy told TheJournal.ie.
The two men have been named locally as Kildare native John Finnan and Peter Towse from Wexford.
John Finnan will be reposing at Rigney’s Funeral Home, Athy from 4pm tomorrow afternoon, with prayers at 6pm. A removal will take place at 6.30pm tomorrow, to arrive at St Michael’s Parish Church in Athy at 7pm. He will be buried on Wednesday at St Michael’s New Cemetery, Athy.
Investigations into the incident will continue today by gardaí and the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU).
The AAIU is today planning to speak to eyewitnesses who saw the crash yesterday evening.
“The whole community is in shock. It’s very sad. I’d like to extend my sympathies to both families involved,” Carthy said.
“There are two families this morning who are without their loved ones.
“Thanks need to be given to the emergency services for dealing with such a difficult situation down there in the rural landscape,” said Carthy.
Post-mortems on the bodies of the two men are expected to take place today.
‘Grief and mourning’
Fianna Fáil councillor and chairman of Wexford County Council Michael Sheehan also expressed his ‘deepest condolences’ to the families of the two men involved in the crash.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families involved right now and we share their grief at this stricken time,” said Sheehan.
“I would also like to thank the emergency services for dealing with this situation professionally and diligently.
“The community is in grief and mourning. We are very grateful to the first responders who were there last night,” he said.
Fine Gael councillor and deputy-chair of Rosslare Municipal District Jim Moore said he doesn’t believe any similar incident has taken place at the airfield in the past.
“People in the area are very shocked,” said Moore. “I’d like to extend my sympathies onto the families of those involved in the incident last night.”
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