The funerals of four of the six young people killed in weekend accidents in Co Donegal take place in Buncrana this morning. The six were killed in two separate crashes within 24 hours near Muff in the Inishowen peninsula. Tim O'Brien reports from Donegal
There were eight road deaths over the weekend, bringing the total number of fatalities this year to 301. The first Donegal accident occurred at about 3.30am on Saturday when Gavin Duffy (22) and his cousin Darren Quinn (21), Charlene O'Connor (21), Rochelle Peoples (21), and David Steele (22), from Quigley's Point, Muff, were involved in a two-car collision on the Carndonagh Road near Quigley's Point. All were killed. The driver of the second car was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, where his condition was described as serious.
Less than 24 hours later a second car carrying five young people left the road near Muff at about 3am, resulting in the death of Brian Power, again in his 20s, from Creggan, Derry.
The funerals begin this morning with requiem Mass for Gavin Duffy and Darren Quinn in St Mary's Church, Cockhill, at 11am. The funeral of Rochelle Peoples is to be held in the same church at 11.30am, while David Steele will be buried in the Greenbank Presbyterian Church, Quigley's Point. Charlene O'Connor is to be buried tomorrow at St Mary's Oratory, Buncrana.
On Friday night, a two-car collision claimed the life of Samantha Butler (20), Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, on the N24 between Clonmel and Kilsheelan in Co Tipperary.
Thomas Creagh (49), Fairways Park, Finglas, Dublin, was also killed on Friday when his motorbike collided with a car at the junction of The Naul and Oldtown road, Co Dublin.