Donna McDermott work colleagues remember 'force of nature' in touching tribute

Work colleagues of Donna McDermott, the woman killed in a road traffic collision in Donegal on Friday night, have remembered her as a 'force of nature'.

Colleagues say Ms McDermott, a native of Greencastle who was aged in her 30s, was the 'heart and soul' of Centra in Moville.

The Inishowen fishing port of Greencastle has been plunged into sadness following the death of Ms McDermott, who became the fifth person to die on Donegal's roads in the last two weeks.

Ms McDermott lost her life in a two-vehicle road traffic collision at Quigley's Point on Friday night.

The fatal crash occurred at around 11.15pm at Carrowkeel, Quigley's Point, Muff and Ms McDermott was a rear seat passenger in one of the cars involved and is the 13th person to lose their life on Donegal's roads so far in 2024.

“For years you were the heart and soul of our centra family,” Centra Moville said.

“Front and centre with the craic and shenanigans on our nights out and in. First to lend a hand to whatever we were doing, from putting the fun into our fundraising, knowing who to call on if something needed fixing and you couldn’t do it!!

“Dropping everything to help a friend, the biggest heart and that funny wee laugh, making the tough days easier, making the good times even better.

“You really were a force of nature, they say that stars that shine the brightest only burn for half as long. And you shone bright, Donzo.

“We will remember you with love in our hearts and smiles on our faces.You will not be forgotten xx.”

The female driver, aged in her 70s and male front seat passenger, aged in his 50s, were both removed from the scene to Atnagalvin and Letterkenny University Hospitals with non life threatening injuries.

The male driver, aged in his teens, of the second vehicle was uninjured.

The death of Ms McDermott has sent shockwaves through her local community and across the Inishowen peninsula.

The Gleneely Development Association said: “Our community mourns the tragic and sad loss of Donna McDermott. Donna will be missed by many.

“Donna was so thoughtful, helpful and supportive when we were establishing the community Defibrillator. The GDA sends our love, strength, thoughts, and prayers to Donna's family, friends and wider community.”

The road was closed to allow for a technical examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local diversions put in place.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Gardaí are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area at the time of the collision to make this footage available to Gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

Ms McDermott's death comes after four other road traffic victims were laid to rest within a week of each other.

St Johnston pensioner Patricia McBrearty lost her life when she was struck by a lorry just yards from her home on Church Street and her funeral took place on Wednesday.

Cousins Kian Dawson-Kirk and Eoghan Dawson, who was aged 20, died following a single-vehicle collision at Quigley's Point on August 24 – not far from where Ms McDermott was killed.

Kian died at the scene while Eoghan passed away days later in hospital. Eoghan was laid to rest on Monday on what would have been his 21st birthday.

On August 25, three people were taken to hospital following a two-vehicle collision at Inver and one of them, 87-year-old Elizabeth Cave, passed away at Sligo University Hospital.

With still close to a third of the year still to go, the total is already three more than in the whole of last year.