'It has cast a dark cloud': Enniskeane community 'shocked and saddened' by death of 13-year-old girl in motor racing incident

The community of Enniskeane is “shocked and saddened” following the death of a 13-year-old girl at a motor racing event this afternoon.

The fatal incident, involving one vehicle, took place at an event hosted by the Cork Autograss Racing Club at approximately 3.30pm.

The girl, who is understood to be a local from the Enniskeane area, was taking part in the event at the Castletown-Kinneigh track at the time of the incident. 

Racing had started around 11am, but was suspended following the crash.

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the incident and attended the scene, where the girl was later pronounced dead. Her body was removed from the scene and was taken to Cork University Hospital where a postmortem examination is set to be carried out by assistant state pathologist Dr Margot Bolster.

Speaking to The Echo, Independent councillor for the Bandon-Kinsale municipal area, Alan Coleman, shared his sympathies with the family of the deceased, saying that the incident has shaken the local community.

“This is a desperate tragedy for a young girl to pass away in circumstances like that, it’s absolutely tragic,” said Mr Coleman.

“My heart goes out to the family; people are really shocked and saddened by the whole thing.”

Fianna Fáil councillor for the Bandon-Kinsale municipal area, Gillian Coughlan said that the incident has cast a “dark cloud” over the community of Enniskeane.

“My sincere condolences are extended to the family, friends, participants and attendees at the event [yesterday],” said Ms Coughlan.

“It must be traumatic for all who were in attendance.

“Nobody thought that this tragedy would unfold and it certainly casts a dark cloud over the whole area.”

A family liaison officer will be appointed to assist the family of the deceased.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said on Sunday evening that the scene of the incident was being preserved for technical examination, with gardaí appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Independent Ireland councillor John Collins said that he feels for everybody involved in the “tragic event”.

“My sympathies go out to the family and organisers of the event,” said Mr Collins.

“This is a very tragic [incident].

“For everybody involved, this is a terrible thing to have happened at any time.”

Additionally, the Fine Gael councillor for the Bandon-Kinsale municipal area, John Michael Foley, said that he can “only imagine” what the family of the girl must be going through during this difficult time.

“This is obviously a tragic event, for someone of that age to pass away,” said Mr Foley.

“It’s horrific for the family to endure something like this and for them to ever comprehend it, I can only imagine it.”

Gardaí are urging witnesses to make themselves known to the investigating team, as well as anyone who may have camera footage from the event between the hours of 3pm and 4pm.

Those with relevant footage are asked to make this available to investigating gardaí by contacting Bandon Garda Station on (023) 8852200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.