LAST UPDATE | 9 hrs ago

A 60-YEAR-OLD man has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of two teenagers in Co Monaghan.

Kiea McCann, 17, and her best friend, 16-year-old Dlava Mohammed, died when the car they were travelling in struck a tree at Legnakelly, Clones on the 31st of July 2023.

The girls were on their way to a debs ball at the Westenra Arms Hotel in Monaghan town.

Anthony McGinn, with an address at Drumloo, Newbliss, Co Monaghan, was charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of the teenagers.

He was also charged with dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Dlava’s sister, Avin Mohammed, on the same occasion.

At a sitting of Monaghan Circuit Court this morning, Mr McGinn stood before Judge John Aylmer as the charges were read to him

When asked how he plead to the charge of driving a car with registration 08-WH-8289 in a dangerous manner which ultimately lead to the death of Kiea and Dlava, he replied “Guilty”.

He also plead guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Avin Mohammed.

The McCann and McGinn families were present in court and there were emotional scenes as Mr McGinn plead guilty to both charges.

Solicitors representing Anthony McGinn noted that they are still looking for specialist medical certificates to be completed and asked the court to consider his so far unblemished criminal record.

In an absence of a criminal record, a probation report was also ordered to be carried out.

Judge John Aylmer remanded Mr McGinn on continuing bail under the same terms and conditions and he is due to be sentenced in the next court term.