LAST UPDATE | 4 Jul 2025

A MOTHER AND daughter who died after a road traffic collision on the Inishowen peninsula in Co Donegal on Wednesday evening have been named locally as Natalie McLaughlin and her 6-year-old daughter Ella from Carndonagh.

Natalie’s partner, Tyrone Irwin, is still in a serious condition at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, but his injuries are not understood to be life-threatening.

The couple’s other daughter, Rhea Rose, aged 2, was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital from Altnagelvin for specialist treatment. Her injuries are also not understood to be life-threatening.

The incident happened at 6.30pm on Wednesday evening following a collision between a car and a van at Glentogher, Carndonagh.

Ella was pronounced dead at the scene while her mother, father and little sister were taken to the nearest hospital across the border in Derry.

The driver of the van, who is in his late teens, was treated at the scene. His injuries are not understood to be serious.

Natalie, who was in her 20s, was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where she passed away yesterday afternoon as a result of her injuries.

She was well-known in her native Carndonagh where she worked as a nurse in a local doctor’s surgery She qualified with a Bachelor of Science in Adult Nursing from Ulster University and began working as a Registered Nurse in 2022.

Her parents and Ella’s grandparents, Danny and Joanne, and both extended families were last night being comforted by friends.

A spokesperson from St Patrick’s Girls’ National School in Carndonagh, which Ella attended as a pupil, said: 

“We are devastated by the news of the passing of our beautiful, vibrant Senior Infant pupil, Ella McLaughlin, and her beloved mother, Natalie McLaughlin, a cherished past pupil of our school.

“This is an unimaginable tragedy for their family, for our school, and for the entire community. We are heartbroken, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Ella and Natalie’s family – including Ella’s baby sister, Natalie’s partner, parents and siblings – and their many friends.” 

They added that Ella was “a real mischievous character who was full of life and fun”. 

“Bringing great joy to those around her, Ella made a lasting impression on all of us. Ella will be deeply missed,” the spokesperson further said.

SDLP MLA for Foyle Mark Durkan paid tribute to the mother and daughter, saying: 

Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal Authority, Councillor Martin McDermott, said his thoughts and prayers are with the entire family at this trying time.

He said: “Words fall short at this time, what can anybody say? They are such a lovely family and so well respected in our local community.

“It’s just devastating. The loss of anybody on our roads is difficult for any community to take.

“But the loss of a mother and daughter, particularly given the fact that they are so young, is even more poignant and more difficult to accept.

“People are just numb and there is very little I can add to that other than to keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.”

Gardaí continue to investigate all aspects of the collision. The road on which the collision occurred, the R240 at Carrowmore, was closed for a technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators but reopened yesterday afternoon.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

Head of the Garda Traffic Corps in Co Donegal, Inspector Sean McDaid, asked any road users who may have camera footage and were travelling in the area between 6pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.