Seven-year-old girl killed in Donegal crash, her parents and 18-month-old sister hospitalised with serious injuries Priest visits family in hospital: ‘The grandmother was showing me photos of the two wee girls, and it was heart wrenching’‘It’s the kind of news that stops you in your tracks and breaks your heart in two’- councillor
The young girl (7) died following a crash in Co Donegal yesterday evening, which left her mother, father and infant sister (18 months old) seriously injured.
The fatal road traffic collision occurred on the R240 at Carrowmore, Glentogher, Carndonagh, Co Donegal shortly before 6.30pm.
Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the collision involving a car and a van.
Tragically, the young girl lost her life as a result of her injuries.
The three other passengers – the female driver of the car, a male front seat passenger and a female child who was a rear passenger – were all rushed to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. They all remain in a serious condition.
Parish priest of Carndonagh, Fr Con McLaughlin, was not at the scene of the crash but went to the hospital to meet the family.
He said the scene awaiting him in the emergency department is something he will never forget.
“Words are inadequate to express how I feel today,” he told the Irish Independent.
“When I heard about the accident, I immediately went straight over to Altnagelvin Hospital and the scene there in the accident and emergency room is something I will never forget.
“It renewed all the memories I had of the very serious accidents that happened previously in the area.
“You never forget these things.
“The grandmother was showing me photos of the two wee girls, and it was heart wrenching,” said Fr McLaughlin.
It is now believed two of the people who were seriously injured in the crash have been transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast while the other person remains at Altnagelvin Hospital.
Fr McLaughlin said unfortunately, the people of Inishowen have seen a lot of tragedy on the roads.
“In 2004 to 2007, there was a series of very serious multiple death car accidents in Buncrana and I was out on them all.
“So, it revives these losses with me and also for the community who have been hurt.
“To have another tragedy here, it is very hard. There has been too much,” said Fr McLaughlin.
While the community remains in shock, Fr McLaughlin said local people will rally around the families involved and support them in the difficult days ahead.
“I have just come from the 10am mass and everyone is in shock, but they will come together and support the family now, as they always do,” said Fr McLaughlin.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Thursday, July 3
No other injuries have been reported at this time.
Reacting to the news, local 100% Redress councillor Joy Beard said the community is devastated by the tragedy.
“I am struggling to find the words,” she told the Irish Independent on Thursday morning.
“Tragically a young girl has lost her life in a devastating crash in Carrowmore, Glentogher.
“It’s the kind of news that stops you in your tracks and breaks your heart in two.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and everyone, all who knew and loved her.
“A second child, a woman, and a man are fighting for their lives in hospital.
“Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
“There are no words. Just heartbreak,” said Cllr Beard.
Donegal Sinn Féin TD Pádraig MacLochlainn said the news of another tragedy on Donegal roads was “heartbreaking”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young girl who has died outside Carndonagh and all of those who are seriously injured.”
The road is currently closed for a technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators and local diversions are in place.
The road remained closed overnight.
A Garda spokesperson said, “Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 6pm and 6.30pm this evening Wednesday 2nd July, 2025 are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station at 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
