A mother of seven children and her son (17) were killed instantly when a tree fell on their car at Kilboy, Dolla, Co Tipperary, yesterday. The accident happened at 8.25 a.m. as the car was travelling on the Silvermines to Dolla Road, five miles outside Nenagh. The bodies were removed to Nenagh General Hospital, where postmortem examinations were carried out.
The dead woman was Ms Kathleen Kennedy (43) and her son was Mr Gerard Kennedy, a carpenter, both of Old Road, Silvermines, Co Tipperary.
Sgt Pat Curran, Nenagh, said it was a terrible tragedy and the local community was in shock. "It was fairly windy last night and earlier on this morning."
The woman, who is separated, was taking her son to work at the time. The ages of her children range from 11 to 18 years, including two sets of twins.
The principal of Silvermines National School, Mr Billy Grace, said: "It was a total shock to all age groups as the family were involved in community activities and were good mixers. This is a very tightly-knit community and it hit everybody."
Father Manus Rodgers, parish priest of Silvermines, described Ms Kennedy as "a lovely woman who was very devoted to her family".
Local postmaster Mr Martin Horan said it was "a shocking accident".
"The young chap had just started his first job a few months ago in Kilkeary. He was a hurler and played with Silvermines juveniles."
He said he believed "the parish will now definitely look after the family".