A close-knit Donegal community has been left devastated after two of its young people were killed in a horrific road smash.
The gaeltacht village of Gortahork in West Donegal was thrown into turmoil following the tragedy last night.
A car containing four young men collided with the gable wall of a house in the townland of Baltoney just outside the village just before 9.30pm.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the single vehicle collision.
However, two young men were pronounced dead at the scene just moments later.
A Garda forensic collision team arrived on scene today to trace the last movements of the 06-registered Suzuki Liana before it struck the wall.
The deceased victims have been named locally as Shaun McClafferty and Jamie Diver.
All four young men in the car are from the Cloughaneely area.
It is understood the late Mr McClafferty, who was in his teens, was the driver while Mr Diver, who was in his 20s, was a back-seat passenger.
Gardai have said post mortems will take place in due course.
Two other young men who were also in the car were removed to Letterkenny University Hospital.
One of these was a front seat passenger aged in his 20s, while the male rear seat passenger, is in his teens.
One of those young men has since been transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for further treatment.
Their condition is said to be serious, according to Gardai.
The Head of the Garda Traffic Corps for Co Donegal, Inspector Seamus McGonigle, said their investigation is at an early stage.
However, he appealed to anybody who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the crash or may have dashcam footage in the moments before or after the crash to come forward.
“Our sympathy is extended to these young men and their families and friends and our thoughts are with the other two young men for a speedy recovery.
“We are at an early stage in our investigations.
“We would appeal to anybody who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident of may have dashcam footage of before or after the incident to come forward,” he said.
Local TD, Pat the Cope Gallagher, said the days ahead will be “difficult and painful” for the families involved.
“Donegal is under a dark and heavy cloud of loss and sadness with the news of the loss of two young lives in a tragic car accident in Gortahork.
“Our prayers are with those that have lost their lives and with the two injured that are currently in hospital care.
“We hold in our thoughts and prayers the families and young friends of all those involved it this accident. The days ahead will be difficult and painful but we stand in solidarity with you all.
“The loss of life in road accidents is every parents dread and no words can give explanation to that nor will they ease the pain of loss due to this accident.
“As a people we will support you all with our prayers and thoughts in the days and weeks ahead. You are not alone ; we all feel the loss of life of our young people and feel you sadness at this time.
“I wish to pay tribute the emergency services and all those that attended the scene last night in Gortahork,” he said.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact them.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the townland of Baltoney between 9:00pm and 9:30pm last night are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milford Garda Station on 074 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
