Three people who were killed in a horror road crash in Co Armagh on Saturday night have been named locally amid an outpouring of grief at the triple tragedy.
Laura Hoy (23), from the Cookstown area, 31-year-old Conor Quinn from Coalisland and 48-year-old John Guy from Keady all died as a result of the crash on the Armagh Road between Moy and Armagh.
All three are understood to have been travelling in three separate cars which were involved in the crash, which was reported to police at around 10.20pm on Saturday.
Four other people were injured as a result of the crash, three of whom were taken to hospital where their condition has been described as “stable”.
In total, there were seven road deaths across Ireland over the weekend.
The death of Ms Hoy is the second tragedy to have engulfed her family in the last three years, after her older sister Linda Owens had passed away in 2023 following a cancer battle.
The 23-year-old is understood to have been a mother-of-one and worked at a local hospitality venue.
The family of Mr Quinn have described him as a “cherished father, brother and son”, and say he will “always be loved and missed”.
Mr Quinn was the father of four boys.
The third deceased has been named locally as 48-year-old John Guy from Keady, Co Armagh. The father-of-six originally hailed from Dublin and had moved to the area a number of years ago.
The collision took place shortly after 10pm on Saturday, with emergency services working through the night at the scene, while the PSNI have said it is too early to suggest what may have caused the crash.
The three-vehicle collision involved a red BMW, a grey Volkswagen and a white Audi.
Assistant Chief Constable, Davy Beck speaks to the media at the scene of a ‘serious’ crash in Co Armagh.
The incident took place along the Armagh Road in Moy.
PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable, Davy Beck said officers had arrived on the scene and performed CPR on some of the casualties before the arrival of colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
“At around 10.20pm, Police received a report of a three-vehicle collision involving a red BMW, a grey Volkswagen and a white Audi.
“Officers attended, along with colleagues from other emergency services, however, two men, aged 31 and 48, and a woman, aged 23, were sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Four other people sustained injuries, three of whom are receiving medical treatment.
“Enquires are continuing and anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed the incident or who has dashcam footage or any other information, should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1654 – 21/02/26.”
The senior officer said the casualties were “from a number of localities around the local area”.
“One can only imagine the real sense of shock and grief that is engulfing those families at this particular time,” ACC Beck added.
Police are at the scene of a ‘serious’ crash in Co Armagh.
The incident took place along the Armagh Road in Moy.
PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
The Armagh Road is the main road linking Dungannon and the Moy with Armagh and Newry.
The busy road reopened on Sunday afternoon after forensics had attended the scene.
“Emergency services were faced with a really challenging and difficult scene here last night in the dark, with multiple casualties and multiple vehicles involved,” ACC Beck said.
“An investigation has commenced, but it is much too early at this point in time to speculate as to the cause of this collision.”
One of the injured persons was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, while two others were taken to Craigavon Area Hospital.
Speaking to media on Sunday afternoon, ACC Beck described their conditions as “stable” while they continue to receive treatment.
Local representatives expressed the shock being felt by communities affected by the triple loss of life, and said their thoughts were with the families of all those killed and injured in the tragedy.
Karol McQuade, SDLP councillor for the Dungannon area who lives in the Moy, said people in the area became aware at an early stage of the severity of the crash.
“I heard the sirens coming through the Moy last night and knew straight away that something serious had happened,” Cllr McQuade said.
“My thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones. No family should have to receive that call. Our roads feel increasingly dangerous, and too many lives are being taken far too soon.
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew said it was “devastating” to hear of the three deaths.
“My immediate thoughts are with their family and friends as they begin to process this terrible incident,” Mr Gildernew said.
PSNI officers searching at the scene near Moy in County Tyrone (Liam McBurney/PA)
“The community are deeply shocked today and I know that we will all do everything that we can to support these families in what will be difficult days to come.
“I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services for all their efforts and for attending the scene.
“My thoughts and prayers are also with those injured, and I hope they make a full recovery.”
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said: “This is a terrible tragedy and the families of those involved will feel immense pain, loss and grief.
“Three lives have been cut short in the most devastating way. My deepest condolences are with all of those who mourn today.
“I pay tribute to the emergency services who attended the scene so swiftly and did all they could for those involved.”