A spectator has died following an accident at the Donegal International Rally on Saturday, prompting officials to cancel the remaining stages of the competition. Motorsport Ireland and the Donegal Motor Club issued a joint statement confirming the death of a young male during the 12th stage of the event.
The incident occurred during the opening pass of the Gartan stage. Two spectators were transported to Letterkenny University Hospital following the collision. As a gesture of respect, organizers chose to terminate the three-day rally, which stands as one of Ireland’s premier motorsport gatherings.
Officials have offered their condolences to the family of the deceased and requested that their privacy be upheld. An investigation into the event is now underway, led by Motorsport Ireland alongside An Garda Siochana. Before the stoppage, the rally was being led by Kris Meeke and co-driver Liam Regan, who were ahead of competitors Callum Devine and Josh McErlean. This incident marks the first fatality at the event since the 2019 death of Manus Kelly.