The young woman killed in a horrific head-on collision in Fahan has been named as Amy Loughrey.
The 25 year old from Derry worked in the well-known Red Door restaurant in Fahan, close to where the accident occurred.
Amy’s local priest, Fr Michael Canny, has said he has called to her family home and revealed how her heartbroken family have now cancelled their Christmas.
Gardai are still trying to determine the cause of the two car crash which happened at Glebe, Fahan just before 11pm.
The wreckage of Ms Loughrey’s Fiat Stilo car and the other Ford Focus car involved in the horrific smash remained at the scene today.
Garda collision investigators are carrying out a full examination of the area.
A 24-year-old man who was driving the other car was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Gardai say he was traveling towards Buncrana while Ms Loughrey was traveling in the direction of Derry.
There were no passengers in the vehicles.
Ms Loughrey worked in the Red Door restaurant in Fahan and was understood to be traveling home after work when the accident occurred.
A message on the restaurant’s Facebook page confirmed “Due to a tragic road accident involving one of our staff members, The Red Door will be closed today and this evening.
“We are in the process of contacting all those with bookings and thank you in advance for your understanding. Our thoughts are with the family of our dear colleague and friend.”
Local priest Fr Canny, PP, said he had been to Ms Loughrey’s house and her family were already taking down the Christmas decorations after the shocking news.
“It’s shocking news to get at any time but so close to Christmas it is even more difficult to take.
“I know Amy’s mother well and we are just so sorry for her and all the family.
“They are taking down the Christmas decorations and tree and it really will mean nothing to them,” he said.
The Garda leading the investigation into the crash has appealed for
witnesses to the crash.
Superintendent Eugene McGovern, of Buncrana Garda station, appealed to anybody who was traveling in the Fahan area between 10.45pm and 11pm to get in contact with his office.
He said a number of people came across the crash soonafter it happened.
However, he appealed to anybody who may have also witnessed the crash
to get in touch.
The road is expected to remain closed today while investigations into
the cause of the two car collision continue.
Superintendent McGovern appealed to motorists across Donegal to slow
down as weather conditions will remain hazardous through the day
because of the poor weather.
“A lot of people will be out shopping today and there will be a lot
more traffic on the roads. The weather conditions last night were bad
and they are bad again today and we would appeal to people to take
extra care,” he said.
Amy will be buried following 11am funeral mass at St Columbs Church at
Chapel Road in the Waterside, Derry on St Stephen’s Day.
To date 11 people have died on Co Donegal’s roads this year, the exact
same number at this year.
Six of these fatalities took place within the space of a week in
July/August, with three people dying in one crash and two in another.
