THREE people, including an Italian tourist, were killed early yesterday morning when they were involved in a two car, head on collision at Doonan, just outside Donegal town on the main Mountcharles road.
Six people were injured in the crash, including an Italian, who is in critical condition.
Mr Donal Britton (45), of Clogher, Barnesmore, and his wife, Marie (44), Were killed instantly, while the front seat passenger of the second car, Ms Valentina Bellini (23), with an address in Milan, Italy, was also killed.
The dead and injured were taken to Sligo and Letterkenny general hospitals, where post mortem examinations were carried out on the deceased.
The Donegal family were travelling from Killybegs to Donegal town at 3 a.m. when the tragedy occurred. It is understood that they had earlier attended a family function.
Among those injured were Geraldine Carthy, sister of Marie, her son, Jordan (7), and the children of the deceased, Garret (12), Tanya (16) and Niamh (18). Most suffered leg, thigh and other bone injuries.
The driver of the other car, an English registered Ford Fiesta, Mr Enrico Pibiri (30), also with an address in Milan, is described as critical but stable at Sligo General Hospital.
Mr Britton was a former member of the popular folk and traditional band, Travelling Folk, and the news of the deaths has left the community where the Britton family live devastated.