TWO YOUNG men have died in road incidents at the weekend, one of whom, a pedestrian, was the victim of a hit and run in Donegal.
A 23-year-old student, named locally as Joseph McLaughlin, died shortly before 5am on Sunday when he was struck by a hit and run driver. He was walking home alone from a local nightclub in Carndonagh, Co Donegal, when a car hit him on a narrow country road.
His body was discovered lying on the roadside by a taxi driver shortly after the incident in the townland of Tiernaleague, about 800m (half a mile) from Mr McLaughlin’s home.
The body was removed to Letterkenny General Hospital where deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis was due to carry out a postmortem.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses.
Mr McLaughlin, a final year engineering student at NUI, Galway, had been visiting his family during college holidays. He is survived by three sisters and his parents, Willie Joe and Mary McLaughlin.
Fr Con McLaughlin, Carndonagh parish priest, who attended the scene, said there was no kerb at the point of the accident. The narrow road was dry, he said, although it was frosty further back.
“The entire community is devastated . . . Our hearts go out to his parents and sisters,” he said.
Gardaí have appealed for anyone with information to contact Buncrana Garda station on 074-9320540, or the Garda confidential line 1800-666111.
Gardaí in Askeaton, Co Limerick, are investigating the death of a 25-year-old man in a single vehicle crash on New Year ’s Day.
Noel Hayes of Shanagolden, Co Limerick, died when the car he was driving collided with a ditch in the townland of Finnoe, near Ballyhahill.
He was taken to Limerick Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on Saturday afternoon.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact Askeaton Garda station on 061-601630.
Gardaí in Kilkenny are also appealing for witnesses to a single vehicle crash that happened on the N9 main Carlow to Kilkenny road at approximately 3.30am on Saturday.
Three men in their 20s were in the car when it left the road near the village of Clara in an area known locally as the Fox and Goose.
They were taken to St Luke’s hospital in Kilkenny, where one passenger has been described as critical.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Kilkenny Garda station on 056-7775000.