The scene of the fatal accident in West Donegal where two teenafers lost their lives. (North West Newspix)
Fr. Brian O’Fearraigh attended the scene of Friday night’s crash in which friends Shaun McClafferty and Jamie Diver perished.
The men were with two other friends whose car struck the gable wall of a house at Baltoney just before 9.30pm.
The two other friends are both in a serious condition in Letterkenny University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
Fr O’Fearraigh revealed how he gave the last rites to the two young friends at the scene.
He told how he was asked to call to the scene by local Gardai and described the scene that he met.
“It was just a devastating sense of silence and sadness,” he said.
“Here we had two young lads whose lives were full and all of a sudden they were cut short.
“It really is sometimes difficult to put it into words but what it once again brought home to me is how fragile life is.
“This kind of tragedy is not uncommon in Donegal but you never get used to it. Losing a child is not a natural thing for parents to go through and when it happens it is just devastating,” he added.
Fr O’Fearraigh said the local community will wrap its arms around the families of all those involved in the tragedy including those who lost loved ones.
Fr Brian OFearraigh
“Words fall silent at a time of loss but a simple gesture or just being there for these families will reassure them that they are not and will not be alone at their time of need,” he added.
Fr O’Fearraigh also paid tribute to the emergency services who attended last night’s tragedy for their professionalism and empathy.
“I simply cannot speak highly enough of the Gardai, the ambulance service personnel and the fire service from both Gaoth Dobhair and Falcarragh.
“Sometimes we forget that these are just people too and the professionalism and empathy they showed last night was simply amazing and I want to thank each and every one of them,” he added.
The Head of the Garda Traffic Corps for Co Donegal, Inspector Seamus McGonigle, said their investigation is at an early stage.
However, he appealed to anybody who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the crash or may have dashcam footage in the moments before or after the crash to come forward.
“Our sympathy is extended to these young men and their families and friends and our thoughts are with the other two young men for a speedy recovery.
“We are at an early stage in our investigations.
“We would appeal to anybody who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident of may have dashcam footage of before or after the incident to come forward,” he said.
Local TD, Pat the Cope Gallagher, said the days ahead will be “difficult and painful” for the families involved.
“Donegal is under a dark and heavy cloud of loss and sadness with the news of the loss of two young lives in a tragic car accident in Gortahork.
“Our prayers are with those that have lost their lives and with the two injured that are currently in hospital care.
“We hold in our thoughts and prayers the families and young friends of all those involved it this accident. The days ahead will be difficult and painful but we stand in solidarity with you all.
“The loss of life in road accidents is every parents dread and no words can give explanation to that nor will they ease the pain of loss due to this accident.
“As a people we will support you all with our prayers and thoughts in the days and weeks ahead. You are not alone ; we all feel the loss of life of our young people and feel you sadness at this time.
“I wish to pay tribute the emergency services and all those that attended the scene last night in Gortahork,” he said.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact them.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the townland of Baltoney between 9:00pm and 9:30pm last night are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milford Garda Station on 074 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Tags: