21/06/2010

Irish Rally Star Dies After Cliff Fall

A young rally driver has died after his car plunged off a cliff at the weekend, during a section of the Donegal International Rally.

Thomas Maguire (26), from Longwood, Co Meath, died when the Citroen CR2 Max he was navigating ploughed through a hedge before plunging off a cliff during a fast section on stage 11 of the Topaz Donegal International Rally on Saturday.

The Tarmac Rally Organisers Association offered its condolences to the family of the championship competitor who lost his life in the accident, which took place on Saturday.

Bobby Clinton, Chairman of the TROA said: "On behalf of all competitors and officials involved with the Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship we offer our deepest, heartfelt sympathies to Thomas's family. We also wish the driver of the car, Shane Buckley, one of the leading competitors in the Citroen Racing Trophy, a speedy recovery from his injuries."

Shane Buckley (25) from Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, his best friend and the driver of the car, is in a stable condition in Letterkenny General Hospital after the accident at Knockalla, near Portsalon on the Fanad Peninsula.

Thomas, who was also a badminton player, had two brothers and two sisters -- Mark (35), Robert (33), Suzanne (30) and Callista (23).

About 1,500 people attended a memorial for Thomas at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny yesterday, where a book of condolences was opened and prayers were said for Mr Buckley.

(DW)


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