Geraldine Clancy, 58, and her daughter Louise, 22, died close to their home in Kilworth in a two-car collision on the R667 Fermoy to Ballyduff Road shortly before 11.40am on Tuesday.

They were heading towards nearby Fermoy to do some Christmas shopping when the accident occurred. It is understood the car in which the two women were travelling left the road upon impact and ended up in a tributary of the Blackwater River. The sole female occupant of the other car involved in the collision was not seriously injured.

It has been reported that Noel Clancy, the husband and dad of the deceased, was one of the first on the scene with his tractor to help pull the car out of the water, not realising his wife and daughter were involved in the tragic accident.

Fr Donal Leahy, parish priest in Kilworth, yesterday said the driver of the other car involved in the accident was a friend of the Clancy family.

“My heart goes out too her too, a person that I know so well also. That family is absolutely devastated as well,” Fr Leahy told the C103 Cork Today programme.

“It is so sad, it is unbelievable that it could be that two friends, they were two friends, neighbours… my heart goes out to them and they must not be forgotten either when we are praying for those who are bereaved.

“In every accident there is the other side as well, and we must always remember those people too that will remember that event as well.”

He said the removal and funeral arrangements were made to afford the bereaved “a little bit of tranquility for Christmas”.

“Trying to work around Christmas, what was best for them and what was best for everyone. Christmas will be dampened for so many people but particularly for that family, and we had to try to arrange in such a way that at least people could have a little bit of tranquility for Christmas as best they can have it,” he said.

The Fermoy to Lismore road closed following the crash. Pic: Denis Minihane

The victims’ removal will be held tonight at Ronayne’s Funeral Home, Fermoy from 7pm, with reception to St Martin’s Church, Kilworth.

The funeral Mass is at noon on St Stephen’s Day. The mother and daughter will be brought to St Michael’s cemetery in Ballyduff for burial.

“I would expect that way there would be a lot of people who will support that. There will be great sadness. It has really cast a dark cloud over our parish at this time,” Fr Leahy said.

Louise Clancy was a student of University College Cork. The UCC flag flew at half mast in the main Quadrangle yesterday as a mark of respect.