Two teenage best friends, Kiea McCann, 17, and Dlava Mohamed, 16, lost their lives in a horrific car crash on July 31, 2023, in Monaghan County , Ireland, in a tragic story shared by DailyMail.com. The girls, heading to their school leavers' ball, died when their car, driven by Anthony McGinn, 61, collided with a tree at 75mph.
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The case is now at trial.
McGinn, a family friend, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing their deaths and serious injury to Dlava's sister, Auin Mohamed, in Monaghan Circuit Court.
High-Speed Tragedy Unfolds
McGinn, entrusted to drive the teens to the Debs ball in Monaghan Town, ignored their desperate pleas to slow down. The court heard he drove nearly double the 50mph speed limit on the N54 in Legnakelly. Oisin Clerkin, Kiea's date, recalled urging McGinn to reduce speed, but the driver did not respond. "He was driving really fast, and it scared me," Clerkin told Gardaí. "Kiea looked scared. I said 'Goodbye' to her, and I woke up in the hospital."
The white BMW careered off the road, striking a tree. Dashcam footage shown in court captured the crash's horror. McGinn, arrested after the incident, admitted he had "no answer" for his actions and was unaware of his speed. The footage left families and friends devastated, reliving the girls' final moments.
Heartbreak and Loss Echo in Court
The victims' families delivered emotional impact statements. Kiea's mother, Teresa, said she trusted McGinn to safely transport her daughter. "When we reached the scene, Kiea was gone," she said. "Her dad tried CPR, but nothing would bring her back." She described how Kiea and Dlava, laid side by side "holding hands" on the grass, were "robbed of their lives." Kiea's 18th birthday gift became her headstone, leaving her family with only memories.
Kiea's father, Frankie, called his daughter a "gift from God." He recounted attempting to revive both teens at the scene, only to face a "death sentence" for his family. Dlava's father, who fled war-torn Syria for Ireland, said his daughter's dreams died with her in the crash. "I lost a piece of all my children that day," he said, demanding justice for McGinn.
Auin Mohamed, Dlava's sister, suffered severe injuries. She recalled shouting for McGinn to stop before "everything went black." Unaware of the girls' deaths for months, she said the crash altered her life's trajectory.
McGinn's Remorse and Sentencing
McGinn's defense, led by Breffni Gordon, highlighted his injuries and remorse. He apologized to the families, entered an early guilty plea, and lost his job, income, and family relationships. Sentencing is scheduled for May 14.
The tragedy has left a community grappling with grief, seeking justice for two lives cut short.
