The four young men who died in a single vehicle collision in Meenaclady near Magheroarty last night have been named locally.
Shaun Harkin and Daniel Scott from Gort an Choirce, John Harley, from Fálcarragh, and Mícheál Roarty, from Dunlewey – who were all in their 20s – died in the single vehicle crash, which happened just before 9 o’clock last night.
Emergency services were called to the scene of the fatal collision shortly before 9pm last night.
The men, who had been travelling in an 01 Toyota Corolla hatchback, were all tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The deceased were all removed from the scene last night to Letterkenny University Hospital. Post-mortem examinations were to be carried out today.
The road remains closed this afternoon as a technical examination of the area continues to be carried out.
The young men were much-loved and popular members of their communities, which today are reeling from their devastating loss. Funeral arrangements have yet to be made, but young people studying in Galway who knew and studied with the young men are this evening making their way home to Donegal on the saddest of journeys to prepare to say farewell to their friends.
John Harley (24), of Carrowcannon, Falcarragh, son of Ann and Gerry and brother to Mark, will be laid to rest on Thursday following Requiem Mass at 1pm.
Superintendent David Kelly has appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
“Garda last night at approximately 8.45pm received a report of a single vehicle collision at Gleann hUalach, Magheroarty. When they attended the scene they found one vehicle which was an 01 DL Toyota hatchback, silver in colour, off the road and there were four casualties. Also in attendance were the HSE ambulance and our colleagues from Donegal County Council Fire and Rescue Service.
“As you can imagine it was a tragic scene, family members arrived. Good work was done by the emergency services in difficult conditions.
“I would like to sincerely offer condolences to the family, friends and community of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.
“I would like to make an appeal to the local public and community if anyone seen that silver Toyota Corolla travelling in the direction of Magheroarty to Gaoth Dobhair yesterday evening prior to 8.40pm or earlier in the day to please contact Milford Garda Station.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milford Garda Station on (074) 91 53048.
Tributes have been pouring in for the four young men whose lives have been tragically cut short. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty TD (SF) said communities are “numbed with sadness”.
He said: “Heartbroken over the tragic news in Gaoth Dobhair. The parish and surrounding areas are numbed with sadness. Four young lives taken too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with the their families and friends at this time.”
Local Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal and Leas Cheann Comhairle Pat the Cope Gallagher has expressed his shock and sadness following the deaths of the four young men in a tragic road crash near Gortahork.
“The whole community has been left reeling in the aftermath of this tragedy. It is shocking to think that four young men, with their whole lives ahead of them, have died in this horrific incident,” he said.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these men. I know the community will rally around the families over the tough days and weeks ahead.
“I would like to pay tribute to the Gardaí and the emergency services and first responders, who arrived swiftly on the scene and tended to the victims.
“I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the four young men.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha”.
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Posted: 4:41 pm January 28, 2019