The tragic teenager who was killed in a horror late-night car crash in Mayo has been named locally.
19-year-old Jason Killeen, who was a passenger in the vehicle, died instantly when the car veered off the road just before 11pm.
The popular young man was from Cullatina in Knock and he was a former pupil at Ballyhaunis Community School.
The single-vehicle crash happened just before 11pm on Thursday on the N60 Ballyhaunis to Ballinlough Road in the Cloonafarna area.
Jason was pronounced dead at the scene of the smash a short time later and it is believed the car may have struck a tree after it left the road
Another young man, 21, who was the driver of the car was brought to Mayo University Hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.
Gardai, fire and ambulance services all rushed to the crash site Thursday night -and forensic collision investigators combed the area for clues this morning.
The road remained closed until earlier this afternoon and there were diversions in place.
Meanwhile, local Ballyhaunis Parish priest Fr Stephen Farragher was called and he said prayers for the deceased young man at the scene of the accident this morning.
Superintendent Gabriel Moran said: "The investigation is ongoing and an incident room has been set up at Claremorris Garda Station and at this stage we would just be appealing for any witnesses [come forward].
"The family have been notified and a Garda Family Liason officer has been appointed.
"We'll obviously be awaiting the outcome of the forensic investigation and the post-mortem and then further enquiries in relation to the overall investigation."
Supt Moran has appealed to anyone who travelled along the N60 between 10:30pm and 11.15pm last night (Thurs) to check for video footage (including dashcam) an make it available to them.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact Gardaí in Claremorris on 0949372080 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.No funeral arrangements have been announced yet.
