Fr. Con McLaughlin, the parish priest of Carndonagh, expressed deep sorrow, stating he will never forget meeting the family of the young girl who tragically died in last night’s accident in Inishowen.
The girl passed away following a collision between a car and a van at Glentogher, Carndonagh, shortly after 6:30 PM.
Three other individuals, believed to be members of the girl’s family, were urgently transported to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry for emergency medical care.
Fr. McLaughlin was not present at the scene of the accident but immediately went to the hospital to offer support to those affected.
He recounted, “Upon hearing about the accident, I went directly to Altnagelvin Hospital, and the scene in the accident and emergency department is something I will always remember.”
“The community is in shock and disbelief. One can only imagine the family’s pain, and I witnessed that anguish in the hospital last night.”
Fr. McLaughlin noted that the people of Inishowen are once again experiencing tragedy on their roads, an unfortunate familiarity for the community.
He added, “Pain is no stranger to the people of Inishowen, with so many tragic deaths. I recall being in Buncrana during the series of multiple deaths between 2005 and 2008, and this tragedy has once again struck our community. I’m certain it revives painful memories for many in Inishowen, as it does for me.”
“We understand how they must feel at this moment, and how the wider community feels, remembering those who have suffered tragedies in the past, as there have been so many in Inishowen.”
“I simply can’t find the words to express how people will feel today, and how I personally feel, having been involved in some of these situations in the past.”
“People will come together, but nonetheless, a young child has died.”
There is currently no official update on the condition of the three other people who sustained serious injuries in the crash.
However, it is reported that two of the injured individuals have been moved to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for specialized treatment.
The accident site remains closed as Gardaí conduct a thorough forensic investigation to determine the cause of the tragedy.
Inspector Sean McDaid of Buncrana Garda Station, Head of the Garda Traffic Corps in Donegal, has issued an appeal for witnesses to the collision.
He urges any witnesses, especially road users with camera footage (including dash-cam), to contact Buncrana Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Priest speaks of sadness of meeting tragic girl’s family after overnight Inishowen tragedy was last modified: July 3rd, 2025 by
