County stunned by tragic road deaths

Two Offaly families are distraught this week, after Westmeath roads claimed the lives of their loved ones in separate accidents. Last Tuesday, Killeigh woman Helen Gonoude was killed after her car travelled for up to eight miles the wrong way on the westbound lane of the M6 motorway between Moate and Athlone before colliding with an oncoming car. And on Saturday, 26-year old Arden Vale native Nigel Costello lost his life after a collision on the N52 Mullingar to Tullamore Road at Belvedere. He was laid to rest on Wednesday in Tullamore with full military honours. Gnr. Costello, who was engaged to be married, joined the Defence Forces almost ten years ago on September 24, 2001, enlisting at Columb Barracks. He spend all of his career attached to the the 4th Field Artillery Regiment. Twice in the course of his service he undertook United Nations missions, serving with the 32nd Infantry Battalion in Kosovo in 2006 before signing up again for a futher tour in Chad in 2009, where he was a member of the 100th Battalion. The Church of the Assumption was packed to the rafters on Wednesday for his funeral. Nigel's remains after the Church ceremony where placed on a gun carriage to the sound of one lone drummer. A full Guard of Honour was in place as crowds gathered with family, and friends and the Army on their walk through Tullamore to Clonminch cemetery. Shops and businesses on Harbour Street closed their doors as a mark of respect. The ceremony concluded with shots being fired over Nigel's grave as a piper played the National Anthem. Meanwhile, Gardai are investigating the circumstances surrounding Ms Gonoude's death. Sergeant Dermot Monaghan in Moate Garda Station said the tragedy occurred between 2.40pm and 2.45pm. Patrol cars had been sent out to the stretch of motorway after Gardai were alerted that a blue Volkswagen Polo was driving the wrong way on the motorway's westbound lane. Despite vehicles attempting to avert tragedy by flashing their lights at Ms Gonoude and patrol cars warning oncoming traffic with lights and sirens, a head-on collision occurred, which left Ms Gonoude dead and the female driver of the other car involved in the accident treated for her injuries at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore. Sergeant Monaghan is now appealing to motorists on the stretch of road at the time to get in touch. Gardai would particularly like to get in contact with a male motorist who got out of his car to try speak to Ms Gonoude. Gardai can be contacted at Athlone Garda Station on 09064 92609. Funeral Mass for the late Helen Gonoude will be celebrated in St. Patrick's Church Killeigh arriving at 11am today (Friday). Burial takes place afterwards in the local cemetery.