Community 'devastated' - Mum and 8 year old daughter who died in Mayo crash named locally

The community in Swinford, Co Mayo has been left "absolutely devastated" by the tragic passing of a mother and daughter in a road accident on the N26. 

Aisling Moore and her eight-year-old daughter Abbigael, who were from the Swinford area, were killed following a collision between a car and a truck at Lismoran between Foxford and Swinford yesterday (Tuesday) at approximately 5.45pm. 

Tributes have been paid to Abbigael, who went to school in Kiltimagh and played football with the Kiltimagh LGFA U-10s.

Kiltimagh GAA Club described Abbigael as 'a kind, bubbly and fun loving girl who will be missed dearly by us all, not least her family and her dear friends'.

Kiltimagh Scouts have cancelled a planned open evening as a mark of respect following the passing of Aisling and Abbigael.

Clann Machua Drama group, of whom Aisling was a member, also paid tribute to her memory and extended their condolences to her family. 

Cllr John Caulfield said on RTÉ's Morning Ireland that the community had been left ‘absolutely devastated’ by the news. 

“When news broke, it was like a cloud fell over the town again. And so soon after we lost two people in Swinford in a house fire just a few months ago,” he said.

“But our thoughts are with the family and our prayers as they try and come to terms with this awful, devastating news. You can only imagine that young child starting off with her summer holidays, and all the dreams of spending times with parents and grandparents on days out, all cut short, never to be again.”

Cllr Caulfield described the stretch of road where the tragedy occurred as ‘a busy road’ but said it was not noted for accidents. 

“Yes, there are a lot of bends on it, there are double white lines, but fortunately, up until this, there hadn’t been a noticeable number of accidents.”

The scene of the collision was closed to allow for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N26 between Swinford and Foxford between 5.00pm and 6.00pm on Tuesday evening (July 2) are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station on 096 20560, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.