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Donegal's road death toll doubled
overnight
13.07.10
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by Linda McGrory
THIS year's road death toll in Co Donegal more than
doubled overnight following the horrific crash that
claimed the lives of eight men on Sunday.
Six people had died in road accidents since the
start of 2010 but the two-vehicle crash at
Glasmullen on the main Buncrana to Clonmany Road
brought that number to 14 overnight.
The authorities yesterday confirmed that the
accident was Ireland's worst since records began.
Garda Chief Superintendent for the Donegal division,
Terry McGinn said: “We had put in place a lot of
road safety measures and we were delighted that the
number of fatalities had been dropping.
“There had been six road deaths so far this year in
Co Donegal and that was significantly down on
previous years,” she said.
Sunday night's horror crash claimed the lives of
friends Mark McLaughlin (21) of Ballinahone, Fahan;
Paul Doherty (19) Ardagh, Ballyliffen;
Ciaran
Sweeney (19) Ballyliffen;
PJ McLaughlin (21) Rockstown, Burnfoot;
James McEleney (23) Minaduff,
Clonmany; Eamonn McDaid (22) Cruckaheeney,
Ballymagan, Buncrana and Damien McLaughlin (21)
Umricam, Buncrana.
People throughout the Inishowen peninsula were
united in shock and disbelief yesterday after waking
up to, not just another multiple road fatality, but
the worst loss of life from a single road accident
in the history of the State.
Friends of the young victims were unanimous in their
tributes to the deceased. |
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One young woman who
works at a Ballyliffen service station knew all the
victims. She and her boyfriend were in Buncrana
following the World Cup final and watched in horror
as numerous fire brigades, ambulances and Garda
vehicles rushed through the town to the scene of the
accident around 6km away.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “I
knew them all but I knew some of them better than
others. But they were all lovely. They were very
hard working and were great craic. They would have
come into the shop regularly enough and would always
be very chatty.”
All seven men were travelling in the same car, a
black Volkswagen Passat saloon car. They died
instantly at the scene. The driver of the Passat,
also in his 20s, remained ill
but stable at Letterkenny Hospital this morning.
The eight victim was 66-year old farmer,
Hugh Friel,
who was unmarried and from Dunaff, Urris, Clonmany.
Friends yesterday described him as “lovely, quiet
and unassuming person”.
Meanwhile, local Clonmany councillor, Charlie
McConalogue extended his sympathies to the families
and friends of the victims.
“This is a terrible tragedy for the families of
those involved and indeed for the wider Inishowen
community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the
families and friends of everyone involved in this
tragic incident at this extremely difficult time.” |
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