Soldier killed in Belvedere crash

A Mullingar based soldier who was returning to his home in Tullamore after completing a shift in Columb Barracks, lost his life in a two vehicle collision close to the entrance of Belvedere House and Gardens on Saturday afternoon last, June 25.Nigel Costello from Whitehall, Tullamore but who more recently was residing at Arden View in the town, sustained fatal injuries when the car he was driving was involved in horrific collision with a vehicle which Gardai believe was travelling in the same direction.The severity of the impact propelled Gnr. Costello's car some distance from the collision scene, according to witnesses.As emergency personnel, including two units of Westmeath Fire and Rescue Service, based in Mullingar and ambulance crews, raced to the scene, Gnr. Costello was attended to at scene by passing motorists. It was apparent that the young soldier was in a critical condition and unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.Gnr. Costello, who was engaged to be married, joined the Defence Forces almost ten years ago on September 24, 2001, enlisting at Columb Barracks. He spend all of his career attached to the the 4th Field Artillery Regiment.Twice in the course of his service he undertook United Nations missions, serving with the 32nd Infantry Battalion in Kosovo in 2006 before signing up again for a futher tour in Chad in 2009, where he was a member of the 100th Battalion.