THE CAR crash in which eight men died in Co Donegal on Sunday night claimed more lives than any other road incident since records began nearly 50 years ago.
Seven men aged between 19 and 23, all of whom were passengers in one car, and the 66-year-old driver of a second car were killed in the crash, which happened outside Clonmany, near Buncrana.
Stephen Lambert of the National Roads Authority said it was the highest death toll in a road crash since records began. “I have never come across such a multiple road fatality scene and I am finding it very difficult to take in,” he said after visiting the scene.
The crash happened at about 10.40pm on Sunday “a matter of moments” after a black Volkswagen Passat, travelling from Clonmany towards Buncrana, clipped a white Renault Megane, causing serious damage to the driver’s side of the car. The driver of the Renault, a local woman, was unhurt.
Some 200m down the road, the Passat crashed into a Toyota Corolla driven by Hugh Friel (66), from Dunaff, Clonmany. Mr Friel, who was travelling from Buncrana, where he had played bingo, was killed. Both cars left the road as a result of the crash, landing in a ditch.
The driver of the Passat, who was a cousin of one of those killed, remained in a serious condition in Letterkenny General Hospital last night.
The young men who were killed were named as Mark McLaughlin of Ballinahone, Fahan (21); Paul Doherty of Ardagh, Ballyliffin (19); Ciaran Sweeney of Ballyliffin (19); PJ McLaughlin of Rockstown in Burnfoot (21); James McEleney of Minaduff, Clonmany (23); Eamonn McDaid of Cruckaheeny Buncrana (22); and Damien McLaughlin of Umricam, Buncrana (21).
There were only five seat belts in the Passat saloon car in which the eight young men were travelling. Some of the bodies of those killed were recovered outside the cars.
The crash happened at Glasmullan, Drumfries, on a short straight stretch between two bends in the road about 2km from the North Pole pub. Road conditions were dry at the time and the road itself has a good surface. It is thought the young men had been watching the World Cup final and locals yesterday suggested the driver was the group’s designated driver.
At a press conference at Buncrana Garda station yesterday, Assistant Commissioner Kieran Kenny said there was no indication at this time that alcohol was a factor, and he said the speed at which the car was travelling would be determined by a forensic and technical examination, which was ongoing yesterday.
Fr Rafal Januszewski, curate in St Mary’s Church in Buncrana, accompanied his parish priest, Fr John Walsh, to Letterkenny General Hospital where the casualties were taken on Sunday night. He said the scenes at the hospital were ones of immense and intense grief. “There were about 60 relatives at the hospital last night . . . It was terrible to witness.”
Speaking in New York, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said his thoughts and prayers were with the relatives of the deceased. Gardaí are appealing to witnesses to contact them in Buncrana on 074-9320540.