The teenager who died after being struck by a competitor’s car at the Donegal International Rally yesterday has been named by gardaà as 15-yr-old Tadhg Callaghan-Carter.
Saint Eunan’s College secondary school paid tribute to their late student, saying he had just completed his Junior Certificate exams and that “his loss will be felt deeply by his classmates, friends, teachers, and everyone who knew him,” reports RTE.
The school said in a statement on social media: “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that our school community learns of the sudden and tragic passing of our student, Tadhg Callaghan-Carter.
“Tadhg had just completed his Junior Cert examinations and was preparing to enter Fifth Year this coming September, reports RTE.
“He was a deeply valued and popular member of our school community, and his loss will be felt deeply by his classmates, friends, teachers, and everyone who knew him.
“We extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to Tadhg’s parents, brother, sisters, extended family and his wide circle of friends at this time of unimaginable grief. Our thoughts, prayers, and support are with them all, reports RTE.
“May his gentle soul rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dÃlis.”
The school said it would open the following day to support students, parents, staff and the whole school community from 11am, reports RTE.
Cllr Pauric McGarvey, Chairperson of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District, described a “great sense of sadness and grief” in the area following Tadhg’s death.
He said the community was grieving a “15-year-old man with his whole life ahead of him” and that what had happened at the event was “everybody’s worst nightmare,” reports RTE.
“There was a great buzz about the town here and the county for the Donegal International Rally and it just puts life into perspective and how tragic things can happen.”
He said the community would rally around the boy’s family and support them in the days, months and years ahead, reports RTE.
The accident happened shortly before 5pm yesterday during the 12th stage of the motorsport event at Trentagh, close to the village of Kilmacrennan.
Tadhg was one of three schoolboys taken to hospital after a car veered close to the edge of a section of road and struck a number of spectators, reports RTE.
His two friends were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The remaining stages of the rally were cancelled in the aftermath of the accident, reports RTE.
Gardaà said they are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident, that the local coroner has been notified and that a post-mortem examination will be arranged.
They said the road has since been reopened, reports RTE.
Gardaà are appealing for witnesses who were present at Location 15 on Special Stage 12 Gartan, particularly those with mobile phone or dashcam footage from the area, to contact Letterkenny Garda Station at 074 916 7100 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, reports RTE.
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