Teen killed at Cork motor sport event remembered as 'a beautiful girl, inside and out'

The Cork teenager who lost her life in a tragic autograss accident at a motor racing meet in Castletown-Kinneigh yesterday has been described as “a beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue” by teachers and students at McEgan College in Macroom where she was a first year student.

Lauren O’Brien, 13, from Knockane in Terelton, was badly injured in the collision which happened at approximately 3.30pm at the West Cork venue and despite best efforts by medical personnel to stabilise her condition, she was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Her remains have since been removed to Cork University Hospital where a postmortem examination was due to be carried out.

In a post on the McEgan College Facebook page, the deepest sympathy of the school community was extended to “her loving family, her parents Therese and Timothy, her brother Josh who is a 2nd year student at our school, sister Shannon, and all those who loved Lauren and had the privilege of knowing her”.

“Lauren’s vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever by all at McEgan College.

“She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community.”

The school opened between midday and 3pm for any members of the school community who wished to come in for support and to remember Lauren.

“Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) will be with us to support and advise teachers in their efforts to assist our students at this time.

“May Lauren’s beautiful soul rest in peace,” the statement concluded.

In a statement issued on its social media platform, the National Autograss Association, the ruling body for the sport, said that it would be cancelling all scheduled events for the weekend of May 10/11 “as a mark of respect to the family of the young driver we so sadly lost” following yesterday's tragedy.

“We now reach out to all our members, families, colleagues and associates in not only respecting this decision but also to help us treat next weekend as a tribute and remembrance of the young driver we have lost and to her family in supporting them through their unimaginable journey through this process and beyond.”

The statement was signed by the Board of Directors of the National Autograss Club.

Dunmanway co-parish priest Patrick O’Donovan, which is the family of parishes which includes Terelton, said he knew the family and had been with them.

“It’s an awful tragedy in a local community,” he said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.”

Fine Gael councillor Michael Creed said that he knew Lauren O’Brien’s grandparents, who live in Inchageela, and extended his sympathies to the family.