Woman killed in Co Donegal traffic incident named

Stephen Maguire

Patricia McBrearty, who was in her 80s, died after she was struck by a lorry in the village of St Johnston in Co Donegal on Friday afternoon.

The rural village has been plunged into sadness following the sudden death of the popular mother and grandmother who lived just yards from where the tragedy occurred at Church Street off St Johnston's main street at 2pm.

One neighbour said a "veil of darkness had covered the village" since Mrs McBrearty's death.

The woman was the fourth person to die on Donegal's roads in just six days.

Mrs McBrearty was predeceased by her late husband Paddy and is survived by her son Brian, daughters Tina and Susie, her grandchildren, and a larger circle of family and friends.

Her funeral details have yet to be confirmed.

The woman's death brings the number of people who have been killed on Donegal's roads so far this year to 12 - two more than all of 2023.

On Saturday night, August 24th, at 11.15pm, two cousins were involved in a single vehicle collision at Cross, Quigley's Point.

The front seat passenger in the car, 16-year-old Kian Dawson, died at the scene.

His cousin Eoghan, aged 20, was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast to be treated for critical injuries sustained in the crash, and died on Tuesday.

A two-vehicle collision on Sunday morning last at Inver in south Donegal resulted in an 87-year-old woman being rushed to Sligo University Hospital with serious injuries.

Elizabeth Cave, from Donegal Town, died as a result of her injuries on Wednesday.

A man from Austria has since been charged with dangerous driving in connection with the crash which resulted in Ms Cave's death.

Meanwhile, Gardaí are still appealing for any witnesses to yesterday's tragedy to come forward.

This includes anyone who has camera footage, including dash cam, and was in the vicinity of St Johnston at the time of the collision. They are asked to make this footage available to gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.