A young man killed in a tragic road accident in Co Donegal has been named locally as Tiernan Doherty-Kelly.
The 18-year-old was killed when the car he was driving left the road near Buncrana on the Inishowen Peninsula at 5am this morning.
The tragedy occurred on the R244 known locally as the Mountain Road at Ballinlough and Garda forensic officers remain at the scene trying to determine a cause of the incident.
Mr Doherty, who was from Carndonagh, died at the scene.
He was removed to Letterkenny University Hospital where arrangements are being made for a post mortem.
Tiernan, who was the only occupant of the car, was a keen GAA player and soccer players and played with CLG Charn Domhnaigh and Carndonagh FC.
Members of CLG Charn Domhnaigh arranged for players hit by Tiernan’s sudden death to gather in their clubhouse.
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A post of the club’s social media page said “After the heartbreaking news this morning upstairs in Foden will be open at 3pm for our players, club members and the wider community of Carn to come together for a cuppa and a chat.”
Carndonagh FC managerGerard Crossan said the players and club members were “just numb” with shock at Tiernan’s passing.
The latest tragedy brings to 18 the number of people who have died on Donegal’s roads so far this year compared to ten for all of last year.
That number of fatalities is the highest in Co Donegal since 2010 when 19 people perished on the county’s roads.
Head of the Traffic Corps in Donegal, Inspector Seamus McGonigle, appealed for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.
He also issued a general appeal to the public to be safe on the roads.
“I would appeal to all drivers to slow down, always wear a seatbelt, never to drink or take any substances if getting behind the wheel and not to be distracted while driving
Local County Councillor, Jack Murray, from Buncrana, said the thoughts of the entire community were with the young man and his family.
“I’d just like to express my sympathy with this young man and his family that on the mouth of Christmas we have another tragedy that has devastated a family and broken a community.
“As always when we have such tragedies we will face this together as a community. I know this family will get all the supports they need from their friends and neighbours.”
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 4:30am and 5.30am are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
