Tributes have been paid to the victims of a single-vehicle road crash in Co Donegal which claimed the lives of four young men.
John Harley from Fál Carragh and Mícheál Roarty from Gaoth Dobhair, both aged 24; Shaun Harkin from Fál Carragh who was 22, and 23-year-old Daniel Scott from Gort an Choirce all died in the crash.
They were travelling in a car which crashed shortly before 9pm last night, on a local road near Gort an Choirce (Gortahork).
Emergency services attended the scene, but all four men were pronounced dead a short time later.
The principal of the school where three of the four men were students has said that it has been a difficult and sombre day for pupils at the school.
Maeve Sweeney of Pobail Scoil Chloich Cheannshaola said that John Harley, Shaun Harkin, and Daniel Scott were typical students who had been leaders within the school and leaders on the school's playing pitches.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, she said that throughout their time at the school, John and Daniel had played Gaelic games and John had gone on to become captain of the local senior Gaelic team.
She said Shaun had played golf at the school and had continued that into the local community.
Ms Sweeney said Daniel's brother was in 3rd year, and the other young men all had cousins and other families still attending the school.
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Local TD Pearse Doherty said there was a cloud of sadness over the area.
The Sinn Féin TD tweeted that "thoughts and prayers are with those involved and their families".
Devastating news from Gaoth Dobhair tonight. A cloud of sadness over the area. Thoughts and prayers are with those involved and their families.
— Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) January 27, 2019
Local people have expressed shock at the deaths of the four men who were well-known in the areas of Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore), An Fál Carrach (Falcarragh) and Gort an Chorice.
It is believed the men were travelling in a Toyota Corolla on a local road, not too far from the coast road, and that the crash occurred at a bridge.
Parish priest of Gort an Choirce Fr Sean Ó Gallchóir extended his sympathy to the family and friends of the men who died and said people in the community are totally numb.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said he had spoken to the devastated families of two of the men, who were from Gort an Choirce and who grew up together.
He said it is "just beyond belief, they just are totally devastated, shocked".
Fr Ó Gallchóir said that the community would rally around the families, but said it is so hard for everyone to take in.
He said: "One of the boys would have been very prominent player in GAA and soccer locally. All the boys would be very well known lads and families in the community and it stretches over three or four parishes here in the west of Donegal.
"People will rally and do their best, but for the parents its going to be a void all their lives."
Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh from the parish of Gaoth Dobhair said nothing can prepare you for the tragedy experienced by the communities of west Donegal.
Speaking on RTÉ's Sean O’Rourke, he also acknowledged the emergency services who dealt with the immediate aftermath of the crash last night.
He said: "It's important to acknowledge, what I witnessed there last night, the presence of An Garda Síochána, the emergency services, the ambulance service, the fire brigade, the first responders, the local doctors, those who were present and attended the scene last night.
"Their commitment and their professionalism and their dedication was next to none and it’s important that we have that. I just want to acknowledge the fantastic work that they do. I know they don't seek any praise or credit for the work that they do but it is certainly worth it."
Gardaí have appealed to anyone with information to contact Milford Garda Station on 074-9153060 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
The deaths of the four men bring to ten the number of people who have died on Irish roads since Thursday.
Three people were killed in road crashes in Dublin, Kildare and Galway on Thursday, while a married couple in their 70s died in a collision in Co Monaghan on Friday.
A man in his 80s was killed when his car hit a pole in Co Kilkenny last night.
