Bronagh English (18), a Leaving Cert student at Rockwell College, died after the car left the road at Kilaldry Bridge in south Co Tipperary and entered the River Aherlow on Thursday night.
Local politicians said the community was distraught at the loss of Ms English, who is understood to have been due to sit her exams this summer.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the single-vehicle crash, which happened at Kilmoyler in Cahir after 10pm.
Declan Burgess, Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, said the N24 is regarded as dangerous, and the road the crash happened on is a small one off it.
“People are very upset out there. An 18-year-old girl, it’s incredibly sad,” said Mr Burgess. “It’s horrible news to wake up to this morning all right. Awful.”
The body of Ms English was recovered from the river yesterday morning by members of the Garda Water Unit and was removed to the mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is due to take place.
Moyle Rovers Ladies’ Gaelic Football Club said Ms English played with the group at a young age.
“As we mourn the very sad passing of a talented young life and former player, our sympathies go out to Bronagh’s family, and we will do all we can to help and support them in whatever way we can,” the club said.
It said all ladies’ football activity in Monroe is suspended for the weekend as a mark of respect, and added: “May Bronagh rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers to her heartbroken family.”
Local councillor John O’Heney said it was “a very sad and tragic day here in Tipperary”.
“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this lady,” he told RTÉ Radio 1. “It’s a very sad day for everyone.”
Councillor John FitzGerald said there was “absolute heartbreak” in the community.
“A cloud has descended on us today. It’s just awful, really, really terrible news,” he told RTÉ.
Mr FitzGerald said he knew Ms English’s family and that she was “a beautiful girl, a really good person”.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or were in the Kilmoyler area to contact them.
“Any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and was travelling on the L3101 or in the Kilmoyler area between 10pm and midnight on Thursday are asked to make this available to investigating gardaí,” they said.
In another tragedy on the roads, a woman in her 50s died following a collision in Co Kilkenny between a truck and a car.
The collision happened around 10.30am on the main N25 road near Gaulstown, Glenmore, Co Kilkenny.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. She was removed to a mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene on the stretch of N25 road, which is now closed as garda investigators carry out an examination.
“On behalf of the local community, we are absolutely devastated to hear of yet another fatality on the N25,” local councillor Fidelis Doherty said.
“That’s our second fatality this year on the N25 as someone also lost their life in a crash in January of this year.
“I would like to extend my sympathies to the family and loved ones of the poor woman who lost her life today.”
Ms Doherty added that the crash was the second on the N25 in less than 24 hours.
“Yesterday, a crash happened about half-a-mile down the road from where today’s fatal crash was. Luckily, yesterday’s crash wasn’t fatal, but it was one of the many near misses on that stretch of road.
“Again, the call is for funding for the N25 for the Waterford to Glenmore scheme. I’m urging the Government to put that funding in place.
“We have 13 turn-offs, right and left, between the Glenmore Roundabout and the Luffany Roundabout. The road is treacherous. We need those upgrades, end of story.”
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