Horror crash in Donegal

The scene of the crash. RTE photo.

 

By Anthony Neeson

The Donegal Gaeltacht is in mourning following the death of four young men in a car accident over the weekend.

John Harley from Fál Carragh and Mícheál Roarty from Gaoth Dobhair, both aged 24, Seán Harkin from Fál Carragh who was 22 and Daniel Scott from Gort an Choirce, also in his 20s, died after the accident around 8.40 p.m. on Sunday near Gort an Choirce. The men were pronounced dead at the scene.

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Parish priest of Gort an Choirce, Fr Seán Ó Gallchóir, said he had spoken to the families of two of the men.

“It is just beyond belief,” he said. “They are totally devastated. One of the boys would have been a very prominent player in GAA and soccer.

“People will rally and do their best but for the parents. It’s going to be a void in all their lives.”

Fr. Brian Ó Fearraigh from Gaoth Dobhair said: “It is people’s worst nightmare.”

He added that all he could do was embrace family members when they arrived on the scene. “At a time like that words fall silent,” he said.

Gardaí are appealing for information about the car’s movements before the crash.

“When Gardaí attended the scene they found one vehicle which was a Toyota Corrolla hatchback, silver in color and it was off the road. There were four casualties,” said Superintendent David Kelly.

“Also in attendance was the HSE ambulance service and our colleagues from the Donegal County Council fire and rescue service.

“As you can imagine, it was nine o’clock at night and it was dark. It was a tragic scene. Family members arrived and so there was good work done by all the emergency services in difficult conditions.

“I would like to, on behalf of the gardaí and my other colleagues, to offer my sincere condolences to the family, friends and the community after this tragic incident.”

 

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