Tadhg Callaghan Carter died after he was struck by a participating car at the Donegal International Rally on Saturday, after News on iPlayer followed the fatal crash at Trentagh near Kilmacrennan. He was 15. The rally was stopped and the rest of the three-day event was cancelled as a mark of respect.
The incident happened shortly before 17.00 local time. Tadhg was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital and later pronounced dead. Two other spectators were also taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, while Gardaí appealed for witnesses who were at Location 15 on Special Stage 12 Gartan, especially anyone with mobile phone or dashcam footage.
St Eunan's College
St Eunan's College said it was in profound sadness at the loss. The school said Tadhg had just completed his Junior Cert examinations and was preparing to enter fifth year in September. It said he was a deeply valued and popular member of the school community, and that his loss would be felt deeply by his classmates, friends, teachers, and everyone who knew him.
The school added that it would come together to support one another, especially his classmates and friends, over the difficult days and weeks ahead. Pauric McGarvey described the crash as everybody's worst nightmare and said there was a great sense of sadness and grief. Motorsport Ireland and Donegal Motor Club said they would express their deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased.
Donegal International Rally
The crash brought the rally to a halt and ended the rest of the event immediately. Motorsport Ireland and An Garda Síochána have started an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, and the witness appeal suggests investigators still want to piece together the exact sequence at the stage location.
The event has now recorded its first fatality since Manus Kelly died in 2019. It also follows earlier fatalities at the rally, including an 18-year-old spectator in 2008 and two marshals six years earlier, showing why this weekend's inquiry matters not just for the family and organisers, but for anyone who was at the stage and may have video from the area.
