The tragic 18 year old killed in an accident yesterday had buried his best friend after another smash less than a year ago.
Shane Brolly was a backseat passenger in a car which struck another vehicle in the early hours of yesterday morning.
His sister Emma also broke her arm in the tragedy which happened on the Glenfin Road just outside Ballybofey in Co Donegal.
Less than a year ago Shane watched as his best friend Shane Patton, 19, was buried after he was killed in a car crash in Drumkeen on July 13th last.
The pair had been inseparable and had attended St Columba’s College in Stranorlar together.
Facebook messages poured in from friends last night remembering the pair.
The scene of yesterday’s fatal crash
A friend of the pair said they had been drawn together by their sense of fun and love of cars.
Only last week Shane was pictured with Danny O’Carroll from Mrs Brown’s Boys fame after a chance meeting on a night out.
“The lads were always talking about cars and were in and out of cars all the time.
“They had a non-uniform day in St Columba’s a couple of years back and both the lads turned up in boiler suits.
“It’s tragic but very poignant that both have died this way.
“Shane was a lovely lad and he was very easy-going.
“His family are just devastated and can’t believe that he is gone forever,” said the friend.
Shane Brolly had spent the last days of his life doing what he loved doing – watching the Donegal Rally.
Last night his parents Michael and Patricia, from Greenhills in Convoy, were being comforted by family and friends.
The dead man is from a very well-known and respected family in the area.
His uncle, Kieran Brolly, is a Detective Garda Sergeant based in Lifford.
Traffic Corps Inspector Michael Harrison appealed for witnesses to come forward.
“This is a very tragic and very sad incident. We simply do not know what happened at this stage and we are awaiting a the results of the full examination,” said Inspector Harrison.
“We know that a number of minibuses were in the area at the time and whilst some witnesses have come forward we would appeal to others to do so,” he said.
A female driver in her 40s, who is understood to have been returning form a night at work, was also injured in the crash.
The crash involved Nissan Primera and a Toyota Corrolla.
All five people were taken to Letterkenny General Hospital where Mr Brolly was later pronounced dead.
Of the other people involved in the collision, their injuries are described as non life-threatening.
The road was closed yesterday for a Forensic collision examination and diversions were put in place.
Witnesses to the collision or anyone who was on the Ballybofey to Glenfin Rd between 3.20am and 3.45am today are asked to contact Ballybofey Garda Station on 074 9137740, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
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