The Night That Should Have Been Magic
It was supposed to be a night of glitter and laughter—a night to remember. Dresses chosen, hair perfectly styled, hearts racing with excitement for the prom. But before the music even began, two best friends, Kiea McCann and Dlava Mohamed, lost their lives in a tragedy that shook all of Ireland.
In an instant, celebration turned to horror. And a night meant for memories became one the town of Clones will never forget.
A Friendship Like No Other
Amárach a adhlacfar Kiea McCann agus Dlava Mohamed, an bheirt déagóirí a maraíodh i dtubaiste bóthair i Muineachán. pic.twitter.com/H5RpjfiTba
— Nuacht RTÉ (@NuachtRTE) August 2, 2023
Kiea, 17, and Dlava, 16, were inseparable. They walked to school together, shared secrets, and dreamed about the future. On that July evening in 2023, they were headed to their prom, dressed beautifully and full of anticipation. They trusted the driver—Anthony McGinn, a 61-year-old family friend—to get them there safely.
But what began as a joyful ride soon spiraled into fear.
Moments Before Impact
As the car sped through the narrow roads of County Monaghan, the passengers grew uneasy. McGinn’s speed climbed far beyond reason—94 miles per hour on roads limited to 50. Inside the car, panic rose. The girls pleaded for him to slow down.
A friend in the front seat, Oisín Clerkin, later told the court that he could feel the terror mounting. The vehicle swerved and roared through the bends—and then, suddenly, it was over.
The crash left two young lives frozen in time. Kiea and Dlava were found side by side, holding hands, their bond unbroken even in their final moments.
The Aftermath of a Nightmare
For the families, life splintered that night. Dlava’s sister Avin, who was also in the car, survived but with serious injuries and memory loss. It was months before she learned that her sister was gone.
Kiea’s father arrived at the scene and tried desperately to save the girls, performing CPR until emergency responders arrived. His efforts, like so many parents’ prayers, went unanswered.
At the sentencing in May 2025, McGinn admitted to dangerous driving causing death and received seven years in prison. The judge called it a severe breach of trust—an act of recklessness that turned joy into devastation.
But for the families, no number could measure justice.
“Seven years—that’s the justice here,” said Kiea’s mother, Teresa McCann, through tears. “Two beautiful girls. There is no justice for this. My child’s life is gone and never coming back.”
What Remains
Kiea and Dlava’s deaths became more than a tragic headline—they became a symbol of how fragile life is, how quickly trust can shatter, how one choice can ripple through generations.
They were two young girls chasing a night of laughter, friendship, and possibility. Now, their story stands as a somber reminder: behind the wheel, one moment’s thrill can mean another’s eternity of grief.
In the stillness of that country road, where the music never played and the laughter never came, their memory endures—two friends who left this world hand in hand, bound forever by love.