Community left stunned by death
Flowers are placed at the scene of the tragic death of John Smith in Grangegeeth.
Wednesday November 11 2009
A COMMUNITY was left reeling this week by the sudden and tragic death of local man John Smith in a road traffic accident near Slane.
The 27-year-old died when his car was involved in a collision with a van at a crossroads near Grangegeeth on the Slane/ Collon road shortly before 10pm on Saturday last.
John, who was well known in the Lobinstown and Drumconrath areas, was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Our Lady's Hospital in Navan where a post mortem examination was carried out.
The 23-year-old driver of the van, who is also from the local area, was taken to hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
Local councillor and former neighbour of the Smiths, Anne Dillon Gallagher described the accident as 'a terrible tragedy' for John's family and for the parish as a whole.
'It's tragic for the family,' she said. 'We are losing too many young people in too many accidents. It is just awful for any parish and it's happening all too often, especially around Christmas time.'
The son of Philip and Marie Smith, John was the couple's youngest child and only son. He has one older sister, Catherine.
John worked as a hedgecutter with Iarnród Éireann for the past ten years and lived at home with his parents in Johnsfort, Drumconrath.
Parish priest Fr Michael Sheerin said the people of the area were 'stunned' by what had happened.
- Fiona MAGENNIS
