Two competitors in Sligo Stages Rally die after serious collision
Two participants in the Sligo Stages Rally have died following a crash at the motorsport race on Sunday afternoon, the sport’s governing body has confirmed.
In a statement released on Sunday evening, Motorsport Ireland said it had begun a full investigation into the incident.
“Motorsport Ireland extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of two competitors who were fatally injured during a tragic accident while competing on the sixth stage of the 2023 Sligo Stages Rally,” the statement said.
“Motorsport Ireland also extends its sympathies to the members of Connacht Motor Club and everyone involved with organising today’s event who reacted so quickly and professionally to the incident.”
A Garda spokesperson said officers are investigating the circumstances of the incident on Sunday at the Sligo Stages Rally.
“An Garda Siochána is requesting that footage of this collision is not shared across social media or messaging applications.
“Anyone with video footage is asked to make this available to gardaí.”
The deaths of the two competitors came on a devastating weekend on the country's roads.
Ciaran Keating, a brother of singer Ronan Keating and father of Cork City footballer Ruairí, has been named locally as the victim of a fatal road crash near Swinford, Co Mayo, on Saturday.
According to the Irish Examiner, Mr Keating, who was in his 50s and lived in Westport, was travelling with his wife, Ann Marie, to watch their son play for Cork City in an evening clash with Sligo Rovers.
He suffered fatal injuries in the two-vehicle impact in the townland of Ballymiles, about halfway between Swinford and Bohola.
Meanwhile on Saturday night, a teenager was killed and four other people injured in a crash in Co Tipperary.
The collision, which involved two cars, happened on the N24 in Ballykisteen shortly before 9pm.
The 19-year-old male passenger died in the collision.
His body was taken to the mortuary at University Hospital Waterford where a postmortem examination will take place.
The male driver and another male passenger in the same vehicle were taken to University Hospital Limerick, where the passenger remains in a serious condition.
The two occupants of the second vehicle were also taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.