Colleagues from Newry, Mourne and Down Council have paid tribute to Aoife Tinnelly who died following a crash in Kilkeel on Monday evening
12:38, 21 Apr 2026Updated 15:20, 21 Apr 2026
Aoife Tinnelly(Image: Councillor Jarlath Tinnelly/Facebook)
A Co Down councillor has paid tribute to his daughter following her death in a road traffic collision on Monday.
24-year-old Aoife Tinnelly, who has been locally named as the victim of a fatal road traffic collision in Kilkeel, is the daughter of Newry Mourne and Down Independent councillor Jarlath Tinnelly, who confirmed her death on social media earlier today.
Sharing a picture of Aoife, Mr Tinnelly wrote: “My beautiful baby Aoife 21/10/2001 – 20/04/2026.”
The local community in Kilkeel, Co Down, and the wider Mourne Mountains area have been left in shock following the tragedy, which occurred shortly before 6.30 pm on April 20, on the Newry Road.
Emergency services attended the scene after a collision involving a white Audi A1 and a blue Mercedes-Benz. Aoife was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, and two other people were taken to the hospital for treatment.
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Many of Councillor Tinnelly’s colleagues, who have worked with him for over a decade, have spoken of their heartbreak at hearing the news.
SDLP Councillor Laura Devlin said: “We in the SDLP are utterly heartbroken to learn of Jarlath’s daughter Aoife’s death. I have worked with Jarlath for 12 years and hold him in such high regard. I am simply devastated for him and his family.
“As a parent myself, it’s hard to even comprehend what they are all going through – to lose a child would be so difficult, but even more so in such utterly tragic circumstances. I am thinking and praying for all of the wider family circle at such an awful time.”
Fellow SDLP Councillor Declan McAteer told Belfast Live: “I am devastated to hear the news of the tragic death of Aoife. It is a terrible thing for someone to lose their child. My deepest sympathies to Jarlath and his family, my thoughts go out to them all.”
DUP councillor Glyn Hanna acknowledged that the road was well-known for collisions as he offered his condolences to Aoife’s family.
“My thoughts and condolences go out to Jalaith and his family during this difficult time,” he said. “It is a tragic accident, and a young lady has died. There have been a lot of accidents at the junction over the years, and unfortunately, this collision was fatal.”
DUP Councillor Henry Reilly added: “I am absolutely devastated to hear this news. Aoife was a lovely young lady with a wide circle of friends. She was very well respected in the community.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Tinnelly family at this time and also with those who were injured in the incident.”
Sinn Féin councillor Michael Rice also expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Aoife Tinnelly..
He said: “It’s devastating to learn Aoife has tragically died. My immediate thoughts are with the Tinnelly family as they begin to process this terrible incident.
“An entire community is heartbroken and in mourning today and I know that we will all do everything that we can to support the family in what will be difficult days to come.”
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