The names of eight men killed in a two-car crash in Co Donegal, described as the worst collision in the history of the State, have been released by gardaí.
The men died when a black Volkswagen Passat, in which eight young men were travelling, was in collision with a red Toyota Corolla last night on the Buncrana to Clonmany Road.
Seven of the men in the Passat died and the eighth is reported to be in a serious condition in Letterkenny General Hospital. The driver of the Corolla was transferred to the hospital where he later died.
The names of those killed were released during a press conference at Buncrana Garda station this afternoon.
The seven dead men travelling in the Passat were named as; Mark McLaughlin (21) of Ballinahone, Fahan; Paul Doherty (19) of Ardagh, Ballyliffen; Ciaran Sweeney (19) of Ballyliffen; PJ McLaughlin (21) of Rockstown, Burnfoot; James McEleney (23) of Minaduff, Clonmany; Eamonn McDaid (22) of Cruckaheeney, Buncrana and Damien McLaughlin (21) of Umricam, Buncrana.
The driver of a red Corolla - Hugh Friel (66) from Dunaff, Clonmany - was travelling from Buncrana where he had been attending bingo.
Clonmany parish priest Fr Fintan Diggin and Buncrana parish priest Fr John Walsh attended the scene of crash last night.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Kieran Kenny said the crash was the worst he had dealt with in his 34-year career and extended his sympathies to the families of the dead.
The crash happened “a matter of moments” after the black Passat clipped a white Renault Mégane, gardaí said. The female driver of the Mégane, a local woman, was unhurt.
The Passat and Corolla left the road after colliding and crashed into a ditch on the side of the road, gardaí said.
The crash occurred on the R238 at Glasmullan, Drumfries on a short straight stretch between two bends about two kilometres from the North Pole pub. The road remains closed and is subject to forensic examination.
Inishowen has seen a number of multiple fatality road crashes in recent years. Five young local people were killed in a crash near Quigley’s Point in 2005 and five eastern Europeans died in a two-car crash near Buncrana in 2006.
National Roads Authority road safety expert Stephen Lambert said last night's death toll was the highest number of fatalities in a single crash since records began in 1961. “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 earlier today.
He said Donegal had been the focus of road safety initiatives over recent years targeting young drivers aged between 18 and 24. He said seven of those killed last night were in that age range. Mr Lambert also asked people not to rush to judgment about the causes of the crash.
A Mass for those killed was held at St Mary’s Oratory in Buncrana this morning. Fr Rafal Januszewski, a curate in Buncrana, went to Letterkenny General Hospital last night to comfort the next of kin. He said there were 60 relatives there and that in his seven years as a priest he has never experienced a tragedy like it . He said hospital staff were extremely upset.
“Many, many people were there inside - there were maybe 20 people in the corridor but they were very quiet. Nobody was talking but some people were crying,” the priest said. “They were distraught. We were talking about this tragedy and offering words of comfort to help to give them peace.”
Gardaí are appealing to witnesses who saw any of the three cars involved in the incident: the black Passat, registration, KHZ 7079; the red Corolla, registration number 05 DL 3967 or a white Renault Megane 04 DL 3497, to contact them at Buncrana Garda station on 074 9320540.
The Health Service Executive has set up a 24-hour telephone information service for members of the community affected by the tragedy at: 087 2798412.