THE two young men killed instantly when the vehicle in which they were travelling left the road at Glenflesk were both teenagers and long-time friends, it has emerged.
They have been named as 17-year-old Anthony Battles from Hazlewood Drive, Ballyspillane, Killarney and his 16-year-old pal Dylan McCarthy from Tralee.
They were travelling in a silver Toyota Avensis which careered off the road at Killaha and mounted a ditch before striking a tree in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Their bodies remained in the car for several hours as the vehicle was hidden by bushes just 2km from Glenflesk parish church.
It was eventually spotted by a passing motorist shortly before noon on Saturday.
Emergency services rushed to the location but both men were pronounced dead at the scene. It is thought that they died instantly.
Relatives, friends and neighbours have been rallying to support both grieving families as they struggle to cope with the devastating double loss of two young men with most of their lives ahead of them.
The funerals the two teenagers will take place in the coming days. Anthony Battles is survived by his parents, Veronica and Tom, sister Candice and brother Michael. Another brother, Thomas, also passed away in tragic circumstances at a young age.
Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to contact Killarney station on 064-66-31222 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1-800-666-111.
