It was meant to be one of the happiest nights of their young lives. Seventeen-year-old Kiea McCann and sixteen-year-old Dlava Mohamed had spent weeks planning their dresses, makeup, and hair for their school prom in County Monaghan, Ireland. Best friends since childhood, they couldn’t stop smiling as they left home that July evening — ready to make memories they would cherish forever. But the night that should have been filled with laughter, photos, and dancing turned into one of deep sorrow when disaster struck on the quiet road leading to their school.
The girls were passengers in a car driven by family friend Anthony McGinn, 61, who had kindly offered to take them to the event. According to investigators, he was driving far above the speed limit despite the teens’ repeated pleas to slow down. In a matter of seconds, everything changed — the car lost control and crashed, ending two young and promising lives. When first responders arrived, Kiea and Dlava were found side by side, still holding hands — a heartbreaking sign of their unbreakable bond.
The loss devastated the small Irish community. Dlava’s sister, Avin, who was also in the car, survived but suffered severe injuries. Months later, she shared her pain about waking up in the hospital and learning that her sister was gone — memories that will never fade. In court, McGinn pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and received a seven-year prison sentence. For the families, it was a moment filled with grief and frustration. “Seven years,” said Kiea’s mother through tears. “That’s justice? My child’s life is gone forever.”
When the court case concluded, the community gathered to celebrate the girls’ lives. Teachers, classmates, and neighbors filled the church, holding candles and sharing stories of their kindness, laughter, and dreams. Kiea had hoped to become a fashion designer, and Dlava wanted to study nursing. Both were remembered as bright, caring souls with big hearts and even bigger dreams. Their story remains a lasting reminder of how precious life is — and how one careless decision can change everything in an instant.