Mayo minor footballer one of seven dead in weekend crashes

The 19-year-old man who died after the car he was driving hit a wall in Co Mayo on Sunday night has been named as Mayo minor footballer Darragh Doherty.

Mr Doherty’s death brings to seven the numbers killed on Irish roads over the weekend.

The accident happened on the N84 at Carrowmore, near Ballinrobe at about 10.30pm on Sunday.

The young man was pronounced dead at the scene while a passenger in the car, his club teammate Niall Heneghan, was brought by ambulance to Mayo General Hospital where his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Kilmaine GAA Club described Darragh, who won an All-Ireland minor medal with Mayo in 2013, as “an outstanding footballer who brought honour to both club and county.

“Darragh was a winner, a leader, expecting the high standards of those around him that he delivered himself.”

Mayo minor team manager Enda Gilvarry said: “I am just stunned and dumbfounded. It’s a terrible tragedy, My heart goes out to Darragh’s family. I just can’t imagine how they feel. This shocking news puts everything into perspective.

“Darragh was a great character, always full of life. He was a pleasure to work with on the training pitch and the playing field.

“I’ll always remember the wonder goal he scored against Roscommon in the 2013 Connacht minor final.

“And in the final against Tyrone he was absolutely brilliant scoring 1-2 in a blistering five minute spell”.

A 70-year-old man also died on Sunday after a car crash in Ballintra, Co Donegal.

The two-car collision happened on the N15 near Drumcroil, Ballintra at about 10.30pm on Sunday.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene while three other passengers travelling with him were taken to Sligo General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver and passenger of the other car were also taken to Sligo General Hospital with minor injuries.

The road remains closed for forensic examination and gardaí have appealed for any witnesses to contact Donegal Garda Station on 074 9740190.

Three men died on Sunday evening after a crash on the A1 dual carriageway in Co Down.

The two-car collision in Co Down happened shortly before 6pm on the road between Banbridge and Dromore.

According to a tweet from the PSNI, the road, which is the main artery between Dublin and Belfast, will remain closed in both directions well into Monday morning.

Two men also died in other road crashes in Co Donegal and Co Cork.

Gardaí in Buncrana are investigating a single- vehicle crash in which a 19-year-old male passenger died when the car he was travelling in left the road at Tooban in Burnfoot.

The crash happened at about 4.30am on Sunday.

Marty Strain from Brae Road, Burnfoot, was killed instantly and a 19-year-old woman is in a serious condition at Letterkenny General Hospital.

The driver of the car, also a 19-year-old man, was taken to hospital but is understood not to be seriously injured.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Buncrana Garda station (074-9320540), the Garda confidential line (1800-666111) or any Garda station.

A 41-year-old man was killed in Ballinrush, Kilworth, Co Cork, on Saturday at 4pm when his motorcycle collided with a car.

He has been named as TJ Sweetnam from Ballinrush, Kilworth.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Cork University Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The occupants of the car were uninjured.

Mr Sweetnam will lie in repose at his home on Tuesday from 5pm with reception later into St Martin’s Church at Kilworth where his funeral mass will take place on Wednesday

Witnesses are asked to contact Fermoy Garda station (025-82100), any Garda station or the Garda confidential line.

The Road Safety Authority has urged parents, guardians and teachers to make road safety a priority as children return to school this year.

Emphasising the danger posed to children at school gateways, the RSA has reminded parents to be extra vigilant when dropping off their children and not to park on double yellow lines outside often-congested schools.

Primary schools can register online for 'Back to School' road safety packs by clicking here.