Families mourn following tragic Málaga accident
Three young people from the Mullingar area have lost their lives, and another is in intensive care, following a horror road crash near Málaga in Spain.
The deceased are Mark McCullagh and his partner, Michaela Newcombe, also from Mullingar; and Mark’s sister-in-law, Amy McCullagh (née Wallace), who is from Ballynacargy.
Amy’s husband, Ian McCullagh, is in hospital with serious injuries.
The couple, who got married in Spain in 2024, share three children.
Amy worked as a healthcare assistant at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar and Michaela worked in the Havana Sun beauty salon on Austin Friars Street.
The accident happened just after 2.30am on Sunday, near the Cerrado de Calderón exit of the A-7 motorway east of Málaga.
It is understood the Mullingar party were travelling in the direction of Almería when a collision with another vehicle occurred, as a result of which their vehicle fell down an embankment of about 30 metres.
Firefighters joined the Guardia Civil in efforts to rescue those in the vehicle, but tragically, three were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Demócrata news site in Spain said that the location at which the vehicle ended up complicated the intervention and rescue efforts.
The news was greeted with shock in Mullingar, and Minister Robert Troy spoke of the trauma and sadness the tragedy means for the area: “Obviously our thoughts and prayers are with the family. It is anybody’s worst nightmare as a parent to get a phone call to say that their daughter or son was potentially in a serious car crash, and then what has unfolded after that is just horrific.”
Minister Troy said that the Irish embassy is offering assistance to the families, and that there will be a considerable amount of legal process to be undergone before the bodies can be repatriated to this country.
“It’s times like this when the community needs to be strong, and they will be strong for a friend and for a neighbour, they’ll need the support over the coming days as they come to terms and process this life-changing event.”
Minister Troy’s comments were echoed by Mark Bannon of St Mary’s training centre on Bishopsgate Street, Mullingar: “Our thoughts are with their family and friends during this difficult time. We would remember Mark from our Pre-Apprenticeship course and Michaela from our Hairdressing course with fond memories of their time in the centre – nicer people you couldn’t meet.
“Ian was also a former Sport and Fitness learner and we wish him well with recovery. The Training Centre is planning to close on Thursday as a mark of respect.”
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is aware of the incident in Spain, and is providing consular assistance to the families involved. “The department does not comment on the specifics of individual cases.”
On the proposal of outgoing cathaoirleach, Aoife Davitt, a minute’s silence was observed in remembrance of the deceased young people at a council meeting on Monday. Cllr Davitt described the tragedy as ‘heartbreaking’. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and everyone affected at this incredibly difficult time,” she said.