Two teenage girls, full of excitement and dressed for a night they should have remembered forever, never made it to their prom.

In July 2023, 17-year-old Kiea McCann and 16-year-old Dlava Mohamed were on their way to their school formal in County Monaghan, Ireland, accompanied by family friend Anthony McGinn, 61, who was driving. What should have been a joyful milestone turned into a devastating tragedy that shook their families and community to the core.

McGinn drove at dangerously high speeds despite repeated pleas from the passengers to slow down. Both Kiea, Dlava, and another passenger in the front seat, Oisin Clerkin, reportedly begged him to check his speed as the car sped through quiet country roads. Moments later, the vehicle, traveling at 94 mph in a 50 mph zone, lost control and slammed into a tree.

The impact was fatal.

Kiea and Dlava died at the scene—side by side, still holding hands.

Dlava’s sister, Avin, was also in the car and suffered severe injuries. She spent months in recovery, unaware that her younger sister was gone. She later revealed the burden of guilt she carried, knowing she had invited Dlava to the prom. Due to memory loss from the crash, she remembered very little—but the loss remained unbearable.

In May, McGinn pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and was sentenced to seven years in prison. For the grieving families, it was a sentence that felt painfully small compared to the immeasurable loss they suffered.

“Seven years, that’s justice? Two beautiful girls… this is what we got today,” said Kiea’s mother, Teresa.
“My child’s life is gone and never coming back.”

During the court proceedings, the judge emphasized the profound betrayal involved—McGinn was not just a driver, but a trusted family friend. Yet he chose to ignore the terrified pleas of the girls in his care, pushing the vehicle beyond all reason.

Heartbreakingly, Kiea’s father arrived at the crash site and tried to save them himself, performing CPR on both girls until emergency crews arrived. Nothing could bring them back.

Two young lives, full of dreams and promise, ended in a moment of reckless disregard.

🕊️ Rest in peace, Kiea McCann and Dlava Mohamed.
Gone far too soon, but never forgotten.