Two men who were hit by a runaway car in Co Donegal in the early hours of St Patrick’s Day were brothers who lived less than 100 yards from the scene of the tragedy.
Anthony and Martin Gallagher, who were both in their 60s, were walking home from a night out in Letterkenny.
The men were critically injured after being struck by a taxi being driven by a teenager at the town’s Lower Main Street just before 3am.
The car crossed a roundabout before hitting the men and then striking the front of a local house causing some damage to the building.
The men were rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital to receive emergency treatment.
However, one of the men subsequently passed away from his injuries.
Anthony Gallagher was a well-known figure in the town where he was employed ‘lollilop’ man helping schoolchildren to cross the road – less than 50 yards from where he was fatally injured.
His brother Martin has been transferred to Galway University Hospital where he is being treated for serious injuries sustained in the incident.
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Both men lived together at the family home at Charlie Daly Terrace.
A young man suspected of driving the vehicle involved in the incident was arrested at the scene and is being questioned at Letterkenny Garda Station.
The area was immediately sealed off and a Garda forensic team later arrived at the scene of the tragedy.
A decision was later made to cancel the local St Patrick’s Day parade in the town as a mark of respect.
Daffodils and a Sister Clare Crockett candle placed at the scene of this morning’s fatal collision on Letterkenny Lower Main Street. Photo: Donegal Daily
Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny and Milford Municipal District, Councillor Gerry McMonagle, said a day of planned celebrations for St Patrick’s Day had changed so suddenly.
He said “This was going to be a great day, a great day for Letterkenny and Donegal to celebrate our heritage and all there is to appreciate what it is to be Irish.
“Instead, we are trying to comes to terms with this tragedy and this loss. These two men are very well-known in our community and it’s still hard to take in that something like this has happened in our town.”
Mayor McGonagle said he supported the decision to cancel the local St Patrick’s Day parade and that the thoughts and prayers of the entire community were with the victims and their family.
“I do appreciate that a lot of work and preparation went into organising the parade but I think it was the right decision to cancel it.
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“These two men were very much part of the local community and the right decision was taken in my opinion,” he added.
Gardai are still investigating the exact circumstances of the moments leading up to the tragedy.
The vehicle involved in the incident is a Skoda Octavia estate car which is owned by a local taxi-driver.
How a teenager came to be driving the vehicle is one of the main questions being asked by Garda investigators.
Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward.
They have also confirmed the matter has been referred to GSOC due to an earlier interaction between An Garda Síochána and the driver of this vehicle.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling in the area between 2.30am and 3.30am this morning, Monday 17th March 2025, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
In particular, Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the area between Dry Arch Roundabout and Oldtown Road at the time.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on (074) 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Meanwhile, the local community has planned to come together for a candle-lit vigil at the scene this evening at 8 o’clock.
