Latest:

03:12 Hunt's 'daddy' texts to lobbyist
03:12 Doctor Who star Smith takes flame
03:12 The Hump pins hopes on Presley gift
03:12 Anti-cuts 'street parties' planned
03:12 UK heat puts Europe in the shade
03:10 Fulham top for young professionals
03:10 UK plans for euro-immigrants surge
02:02 School chiefs agree handcuffs ban

Appeal for witnesses after police crash fireball

Tuesday, 25 November 2008

Police today issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to an horrific crash in which four officers died.

Senior investigating officer Inspector Ian Kennedy said they had already spoken to a number of people who tried unsuccessfully to rescue the young policemen from their blazing 4x4 which crashed in Co. Down at the weekend.

However, he said anyone who had been at the scene and not yet spoken to police, or anyone who may have seen the liveried Shogun was asked to make contact.

The PSNI today issued photographs of the four officers as their grieving families prepared for the first funerals tomorrow.

The men lost their lives when their patrol vehicle lost control and crashed into a wall on a stretch of road between the harbour towns of Warrenpoint and Rostrevor.

They were on their way to help colleagues dealing with a crowd in Rostrevor when they died.

The victims - Declan Greene, Kenny Irvine, Kevin Gorman and James Magee - all came from the wider Mourne area.

Two Catholic, two Protestant, two were full-time officers and two part-time community officers.

Kenny Irvine's widow Andrea - who recently gave birth to a baby boy - will bury her husband tomorrow on what should have been their fourth wedding anniversary.

The service is being held at the Presbyterian Church in the fishing village of Kilkeel at lunchtime.

Earlier the funeral of James Magee is being held at Dromore Cathedral.

Declan Greene's funeral will take place in Massforth on Thursday. He lost three members of his family in the Tullymurray Lass fishing tragedy off the Co Down coast six years ago.

At the crash scene flowers and other tributes laid in memory of the officers continue to build up.

Print
Text Size
- Normal
- Large
- Extra Large

Comments

First |
Previous
1
2
3
Next
| Last

58 Comments

RIP James, Im never going to forget you xx

Posted by Miriam | 29.11.08, 19:49 GMT

As a past member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and a current 33 year veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police (Canada) my family and I offer our deepest sympathies to these fine officers and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Responding to help a fellow officer in need and subsequently paying the ultimate terrible sacrifice is indeed honourable and brave but unfortunately such a very sad waste of life.

Posted by Les | 28.11.08, 00:53 GMT

My deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the four men who died tragically. I pray for you all and I believe that you will meet them again. St Anthony help them find peace.

Posted by Shamus | 27.11.08, 23:53 GMT

i worked with declan and knew kenny, kennys family and also his wifes family since i was no aged... they were two lovely fellas.. bt away to a beta place now...

lot of love keni and declan xxxxxx

Posted by April | 27.11.08, 21:07 GMT

I won't pretend to feel your pain, but i'm certainly sharing it. Be strong for each other. You're in my prayers. God bless!

Posted by Gerry | 27.11.08, 19:12 GMT

Very tragic news for the family, friends and colleagues of the four young officers.

Words can't adequately express the sorrow I feel.

God bless.

Posted by Niki Blair | 27.11.08, 16:09 GMT

As a member of law enforcement the death of a fellow officer is something you pray you will never have to experience. I can't imagine losing 4 at the same time. My deepest sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of these officers, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Michaela Smith
Rutherford County Sheriff's Dept
Tennessee, U.S.A

Posted by Michaela | 27.11.08, 13:01 GMT

I left Belfast in 1955 at the age of 12 and am at the present time a retired public safety officer in California. My thoughts and prayers go out to the familys, friends and co-workers of the officers who were killed in the tragic accident.
William S. Lynn
Concord, California.

Posted by William (Bill) Lynn | 26.11.08, 23:26 GMT

Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy. God bless x

Posted by Laura | 26.11.08, 22:24 GMT

Our police service has come a long way and I hope that the public will understand how part time officers (who generally also have a day job) give up their free time to serve the community- not to take away from the committment and bravery that all 4 gave to their job and to the community, paying the ultimate price.

Posted by Maire | 26.11.08, 22:04 GMT

Deepest sympathies to all the families.May they be comforted at this sad time. May their souls Rest in Peace.

Posted by kelly | 26.11.08, 21:44 GMT

Deepest sympathy to the families and relatives of the four policemen....what a waste of life and what tragedy this waste leaves behind.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families.

Posted by s gilmartin | 26.11.08, 20:58 GMT

god bless you all and your families

Posted by eileen | 26.11.08, 20:43 GMT

my deepest sympathy to all the familys Pauline from lisburn

Posted by pauline mckeown | 26.11.08, 20:37 GMT

My sincere deepest sympathy to the Families, Friends and Colleagues of the 4 young Officers killed in this tragic accident.

Rest In Peace.

Posted by David | 26.11.08, 19:54 GMT

i knew Declan Greene's son very well i met him last summer in the caravan park in kilkeal me and Darrin became good friends i never expectid this to happen him r his family my greatist wishis go out to the Greene family and the other 3 PSNI officers that also died in this accedint =( R.I.P x x x x x x x x

Posted by danielle murphy, warrenpoint | 26.11.08, 19:24 GMT

deepest sympathies to the families and friends.

Posted by karen | 26.11.08, 18:29 GMT

Honest, hard-working policemen should always be held in the highest regard in any right-minded society. It is their dedication to keeping people safe and putting themselves at risk that make them heroes.

These men should be honored by ALL segments of NI society, they equally deserve nothing less.

I hope their families have the utmost support from their community during this unfairly difficult time.

Posted by Scott Richards | 26.11.08, 17:17 GMT

Deepest sympathies to all the families involved. As an ex- security force member it brings back so many dark memories of the past. God bless to you all. From all ex-N Ireland SF here in Iraq. God Bless.

Posted by Peter T | 26.11.08, 16:21 GMT