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Teenager and young man die in Co Donegal road crash

The driver of the car, a teenager, and a passenger aged in his 20s died after the car crashed into the gable wall of a house in Gort an Choirce, Co Donegal
The driver of the car, a teenager, and a passenger aged in his 20s died after the car crashed into the gable wall of a house in Gort an Choirce, Co Donegal

A teenager and a young man have died, and two others are in a serious condition after the car they were in crashed into a house in Donegal.

The driver of the car, a teenager, and a rear seat passenger aged in his 20s died after the car crashed into the gable wall of a house in the townland of An Bhealtaine, Gort an Choirce, Co Donegal around 9.30pm last night.

Those who died have been named locally as Jamie Diver and Shaun McClafferty.

Another teenager and man in his 20s, who were passengers in the car, were taken to Letterkenny University Hospital.

One of them, who is described as critically ill, was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Jamie Diver who was fatally injured in last night's crash

It is understood that nobody in the house was injured in the incident.

Gardaí said the bodies of the teenager and man have been removed from the scene to Letterkenny University Hospital where post-mortem examinations are due to take place.

The road is closed with local diversions in place.

A technical examination of the scene is also due to take place by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

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Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses and are asking road users who were travelling in the area between 9pm and 9.30pm last night to make camera footage - including dash-cam footage - available to them.

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.

The road remains sealed off close to the scene of the crash

'A dark cloud descended over west Donegal'

Meanwhile, local TDs have been paying tribute to Mr Diver and Mr McClafferty, who died in the collision.

Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal Pat the Cope Gallagher said: "A dark cloud descended over west Donegal when the news broke of the untimely and tragic death of two young men, who were killed in the road traffic accident last night.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, and indeed, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and the two individuals who were injured in the accident, and we hope that they will make a full recovery.

"This is a very tightly knit community that will stand in solidarity with these families during the weeks and months ahead. I also like to think of the first responders the emergency services were available last night to attend the accident."

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty said that the community had been left "completely heartbroken" after the loss of two young lives, who had a huge future ahead of them.

Deputy Doherty said: "There’s a huge cloud of grief hanging over this community again, and our hearts just go out to the parents, the families and friends of those who are lost their lives, and our prayers are with those two who are in hospital and they’re battling away themselves.

"And you know, at times like this, there are no words, but the community just comes together and wraps ourselves around all of those who are suffering the real loss here, as they wake up today."

Meanwhile, local GAA club Chloich Cheann Fhaola postponed their game against Naomh Micheál that was scheduled to take place today.

One of the young men in hospital was due to play for Chloich Cheann Fhaola today while his family are heavily involved in the club.