The girl's mum sadly died in the crash on Friday.

09:44, Wed, Jul 29, 2026 Updated: 11:12, Wed, Jul 29, 2026

Garda car, Ireland

The crash in County Cavan in Ireland happened on Friday (file picture) (Image: Getty)

A young girl has tragically died after suffering critical injuries in a car crash in which her mother also lost her life. Nine-year-old Irena (Ira) Mereacre died in hospital on Tuesday after being seriously injured in the collision in County Cavan, Ireland.

Her mother, Nell Raven, 53, who was English-born but had recently become an Irish citizen, was killed in the crash on Friday. The pair were travelling in a car that collided with a flatbed van on the R162 at Corclare, near the village of Shercock, at around 4.30pm on Friday. Ms Raven, a writer and journalist, was pronounced dead at the scene, while her daughter was taken to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin in a critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Irena sadly died on Tuesday.

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Shercock sign

The entrance to Shercock, County Cavan, near the scene of the collision (Image: Google)

An Garda Síochána confirmed the girl's death in an updated statement, the Irish Mirror reports.

A spokesperson said: "Gardaí continue to investigate a fatal road traffic collision on the R162 at Corclare, Shercock, Co. Cavan, on Friday 24th July 2026.

"The collision involved a car and a flatbed van, and occurred after 4.30pm (approximately).

"The driver of the car, a woman aged in her 50s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"A passenger in the car, a female juvenile child, was removed from the scene to Temple Street Hospital, where she passed away this afternoon, Tuesday 28th July 2026."

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision and have appealed for witnesses and anyone with footage from the area to come forward.

Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin

Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin, Irena (Ira) Mereacre, (9) died after critical injuries (Image: PA)

The force added: "Any road users who were travelling in this area between 4:15pm and 5:00pm on Friday 24th July 2026 and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bailieborough Garda Station on 042 969 4570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.