What should have been a landmark of youth and joy became a scene of unspeakable sorrow in County Monaghan. Two best friends, Dlava Mohamed, aged 16, and Kiea McCann, aged 17, had their lives tragically cut short in a car accident while on their way to one of the most anticipated nights of their lives: their school formal. The girls, filled with the excitement of the evening, were passengers in a car that would never reach its destination, a journey that ended in a devastating collision that claimed both of their lives.
The driver, a 61-year-old family friend named Anthony McGinn, was behind the wheel. As the car navigated the country roads, the mood inside shifted from excitement to fear. According to subsequent court proceedings, the passengers, including the two girls and another friend in the front seat, repeatedly pleaded with McGinn to slow down. Their requests for caution, however, were met with indifference as the vehicle continued to accelerate to a terrifying speed.
Amárach a adhlacfar Kiea McCann agus Dlava Mohamed, an bheirt déagóirí a maraíodh i dtubaiste bóthair i Muineachán. pic.twitter.com/H5RpjfiTba
— Nuacht RTÉ (@NuachtRTE) August 2, 2023
Tragedy struck when McGinn lost control of the car, which was traveling at nearly twice the legal speed limit. The vehicle veered off the road and slammed into a tree. The impact was catastrophic, and despite the desperate efforts of first responders and Kiea’s own father, who performed CPR at the scene, both Dlava and Kiea were pronounced dead. In a heartbreaking detail that underscores their inseparable bond, reports from the scene indicated that the two best friends were found holding hands.
The ripple effects of the crash extended deeply into the lives of their loved ones. Dlava’s sister, Avin, was also in the car and sustained severe injuries. Her physical recovery was compounded by immense psychological trauma; she was shielded from the knowledge of her sister’s death for months and later grappled with feelings of guilt, as she had been the one to invite Dlava to the formal that night. The community was left shattered, mourning the loss of two bright young lives.
Earlier this year, Anthony McGinn was sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting to dangerous driving causing death. For the families of the girls, the legal conclusion offered little solace. Kiea’s mother, Teresa, voiced the anguish of a parent, stating that the prison term was no justice for the loss of a child whose life would never be restored. The story of Dlava and Kiea remains a poignant and painful reminder of how a single reckless decision can irrevocably shatter countless lives.
