Kiea McCann, 17, and her best friend, 16-year-old Dlava Mohammed, were killed outside the town of Clones in Co. Monaghan, Ireland, while traveling to their prom on the night of July 31, 2023.

There were three other people in the car with Kiea and Dlava on the tragic night.

Hours before the crash, Kiea and Dlava, who were described as best friends in their obituaries, posed for photos. Kiea posed in a striking red dress in front of a backdrop of celebration balloons, while Dlava, dressed in a soft blue gown, smiled gently before they set off for the night.

Their families and friends shared the girls’ photos, expressing their grief and sadness over their passing.

“I love you so so much Kiea,” heartbroken sister Michaela wrote on the social media.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Kiea’s father, Frankie McCann, recalled how the family’s home was filled with joy and celebration just hours prior to the accident.

“There was great excitement here in the house before they went out,” he said. “We had food and champagne and balloons, and it was going to be a great night.”

According to Daily Mail, the girls, along with two of their friends, were driven to the celebration by 61-year-old Anthony McGinn, a friend of the McCann family. Allegedly, he was speeding and driving at nearly double the speed of a 50mph zone and wouldn’t slow down despite the pleas from the teenagers.

Oisin Clerkin, Kiea’s date, also asked from the driver to slow down. “He was driving really fast and it scared me. None of the girls said anything. Kiea looked scared. I said ‘Goodbye’ to Kiea and I woke up in hospital,” Oisin said, as per Daily Mail.

McGinn pleaded guilty to dangerous driving resulting in the deaths of both girls and severe injuries to Dlava’s sister, Avin Mohammed.

The Monaghan Court additionally imposed a 15-year driving ban.

According to the judge, McGinn ignored multiple pleas from the teenagers and drove at a reckless speed, showing no concern for their safety. The court was told that moments after the crash, Kiea’s father reached the scene and tried to revive both girls with CPR. Though he fought desperately to save them, his attempts proved in vain.

Kiea’s mother, Teresa, shared how she had “trusted” the 61-year-old family friend to take her child to the Deb’s Ball safely. 

“When we got to the scene, Kiea was already gone. Her dad tried CPR on her. Nothing would bring her back,” she said.

“Kiea and her best friend were robbed of their lives. They were put side by side holding hands on the grass as me and my husband lay beside them.”