Men killed in Sligo rally event had decades of experience in sport

The two men killed during Sunday’s rallying event in Co Sligo had over 35 years experience in the sport between them, it has emerged.

The two deceased are driver Gene McDonald (35) of Cootehill, Co Cavan, a mechanic who operated a garage in Carrickmacross, and co-driver Daire Maguire (46) of Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, described as “one of life’s true gentlemen” in a social media statement by his employers CADCO bathroom showrooms.

It is understood that Mr Maguire’s wife and two teenage children were among the spectators at the event in Co Sligo on what is being described as one of motorsport’s darkest days.

The men died after their car, a Ford Escort Mark 2, hit a wall at Carrowcushcly near Ballymote shortly before 3pm, during the Sligo stages rally. Some 147 cars took part in the event.

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Art McCarrick, sporting manager of Motorsport Ireland, said that men had passed that narrow stretch of road earlier in the day at competition speed, and like all participants had driven every stage on Saturday “at road speed” in a road car.

“They had driven that stretch once already in the competition but the previous day they would have driven it three times doing reconnaissance of the stages and making safety notes,” he said.

Mr McCarrick said that the driver, Mr McDonald, had over 15 years experience while his co driver Mr Maguire had been involved in the sport for over 20 years. He said that Mr McDonald had been driving a Ford Escort in competitions for 10 years.

Mr McCarrick said shutting down the sport was not the way to deal with the tragedy. He told Ocean FM that Motorsport Ireland, as the governing body for the sport, had no immediate plans to alter its calendar for the remainder of the season.

Two investigations have been launched into the incident by the Garda and by Motorsport Ireland.

The stretch of road where the accident happened was described as “straight but narrow and bumpy with grass into middle of the road”. It is hoped that onboard footage may help determine the cause of the crash .

A technical examination of the scene has been carried out by forensic collision investigators. The bodies of both men have been removed to Sligo University Hospital where post mortems will be carried out.

Meanwhile, a man (41) died after being hit by a car in Co Tipperary on Sunday night. The incident involving the car and a pedestrian occurred at Burgess West, Ballylooby. The male driver (26) of the car was not injured.