Margaret McLaughlin killed in horror road crash. Her husband Pat remains in hospital in a stable condition
A COMMUNITY is said to be in shock a priest’s housekeeper became the North’s 17th victim to die on the roads so far this year.
Margaret McLaughLin was the front seat passenger in a black Ford Mondeo car which was struck by a truck on Monday night on the Urney Road in Strabane around 10.30 pom
The 69-year-old has been described by a friend as “a saint of a woman”.
Tragically, she died in hospital from her injuries early yesterday morning after the passenger side of the Ford Mondeo saloon took the full force of the crash.
Her husband, Pat, who was driving the car at the time of the incident, was in a stable condition in hospital last night.
A man arrested at the scene by the PSNI has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
The 20-year-old will also be charged with other motoring offences when he appears before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court this morning.
Mrs McLaughlin, who worked as housekeeper to parish priest Fr Michael Doherty for the past 27 years, was well known throughout the Co Tyrone town.
Fr Doherty, who was away on holiday when he received the tragic news, abandoned his plans immediately so he could return home to offer his support to her family.
“Margaret was first and foremost a tremendous wife, mother and grandmother,” he said.
“Margaret was a modest and gentle woman and like Pat, her husband, was very parish-orientated.
“Her gentle nature was in contrast to the violent way in which she died, but we will keep everyone in our prayers in these coming days.”
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said the family was completely shattered by the accident.
The scene of the crash on Monday night at Urney Road in Strabane
“I cannot begin to comprehend how much of a tragedy this is for the McLaughlin family,” he added
“Margaret and Pat were so devoted to each other, you rarely saw one without the other.
“I feel so much for their son, Aidan, and daughters Bronagh, Julie and Laura.
“The turmoil they are in now is unimaginable. They are grieving the loss of their mother, along with the need to be at their father’s hospital bedside. The whole town of Strabane is in a state of stunned shock – they were so well-known and loved by everybody.”
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