Co-driver killed at Donegal rally

A man in his 30s has been killed in a crash at the Donegal International car rally.


Donegal Fatal crash


He was the co-driver of a car that crashed on a bad bend between Fanad and Ramelton this afternoon.

The event has been suspended and a decision will be made later this evening if it will resume tomorrow.

This is the first time a competitor has been killed in the rally. In 2008, a spectator was killed and in 2002 two stewards were killed.

The Topaz Donegal International Rally is one of the biggest sporting events taking place in the country this weekend with an estimated 70,000 spectators expected in the county for the three-day.

This is the 38th rally and it was expected to generate €25m.

Update

A man killed in a crash in the Donegal International Car Rally has been named by race organisers as Thomas Maguire.

Thomas, from Longwood, Co Meath, was the co-driver of a vehicle which crashed on a bad bend between Fanad and Ramelton, Co Donegal, yesterday afternoon.

Memorial service for rally crash victim





Approximately 1,500 people have attended a memorial service in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, for Thomas Maguire.

The 26-year-old was killed when the car in which he was the co-driver hit a wall during yesterday's Donegal International Car Rally.

The event has been cancelled as a mark of respect and is expected to be reviewed because of the tragedy.

The driver of the car, Shane Buckley, is in a stable condition in hospital.

Prayers were also said at the service for Mr Buckley.

Those at the service heard that both men were aware of the dangers involved in their sport but loved it nonetheless.

Expressing his sympathy to the Maguire family, President of Motorsport Ireland Joe Corcoran emphasised the high standards within the sport in Ireland.

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