COMMUNITIES in Inishowen and Ballyliffin are mourning the tragic loss of seven friends and a 66-year-old pensioner.

All eight died in a car crash near Buncrana on Sunday. The seven men in a black Volkswagen Passat, along with the driver of a second car, a red Toyota Corolla were killed in the crash at approx. 10.40pm on Sunday night.

The man driving the Toyota was 66-year-old pensioner Hugh Friel who is said to be a teetotaller and a regular bingo-goer.

In the other car were Paul Doherty, 19, Ciaran Sweeney, 19, Mark McLaughlin, 21, Eamonn McDaid, 22, Patrick PJ McLaughlin, 21, Damian McLaughlin, 21 and James McElleney, 23.

The driver of the Passat was taken to Letterkenny General Hospital with serious injuries following the collision. He is said to be ‘ill but stable’ in hospital this morning.

Speaking to the Irish Independent Packie Farren, an Inishowen local said:

“These were good young men out and about on a Sunday evening probably after watching the World Cup Final. They were doing nobody any harm and yet this morning we are facing this huge tragedy where countless lives have been lost and many more ruined.

“Whatever we are doing to teach people about the dangers on our roads, it’s simply not enough.

The bodies of the dead men were removed from Letterkenny General Hospital last night.