Teenager Dies in Donegal Road Accident, Community Mourns

Tributes have been offered following the death of a teenager in a single-vehicle crash in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. Tiernan Doherty-Kelly, 18, suffered fatal injuries in a collision on the R244 (Mountain Road) at Ballinlough, near Buncrana, shortly after 05:00 GMT on Sunday. Gardaí (Irish police) stated that the teenager was the driver and sole occupant of the car. Albert Doherty, vice chairman of Carndonagh FC, described him as “a popular, humorous young man who was a delight inside and outside the dressing room”. Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme, Mr Doherty further commented: “He was a great contributor to sports… someone who was sorely loved. There are deep regrets at losing him, we are distraught as a community.“We are in deep, deep shock as a community.” Tiernan participated in both soccer and GAA for clubs based in Carndonagh. Mr Doherty mentioned that teammates gathered at both clubs on Sunday as they attempted to process the news. He conveyed: “People have fond loving memories of TK. Our thoughts, sympathies and prayers are with the extended families.” In a social media tribute posted on Sunday, the Carndonagh GAA club declared: “Today was a truly heartbreaking day for our club and our community”. The club characterized the teenager as a “star” who consistently “greeted everyone with a smile”. It had been a “privilege to watch Tiernan play football and hurling with skill and determination,” the club added. The main road connecting Buncrana to Carndonagh was closed on Sunday to facilitate an examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to contact them. The teenager marks the fourth person to be killed on Donegal roads in just over a week. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.