Safety review follows rally deaths

Local people said conditions were slippery

The governing body for rally driving in Ireland has said it will review its safety plans following the death of two marshalls at the Donegal International Rally.

Gerard McKenna, from Crossmaglen in County Armagh and George Clarke from Moville in County Donegal died after a car left the road during the event on Friday.

Both men were 22-years-old.

Members of the Motorsport Commission discussed the accident and its implications on this year's rally season at a meeting on Sunday.

Speaking afterwards, the commission said an agreed safety plan was in place for the rally.

Injuries

The accident happened when the car left the road and struck a crowd of spectators at Cloghan, six miles from Ballybofey.

Two other people injured in the accident are still being treated in hospital in Letterkenny.

One is in intensive care but has been described as stable. The second is in a comfortable condition.

The vehicle involved in the collision was taken to Letterkenny Garda Station for examination.

Spectators said there had been a few heavy showers and conditions were slippery.

They were horrified at the loss of life.

The international rally is one of the biggest events in the Donegal sporting calendar, drawing thousands of spectators.

Rally organizers said the event had always had, over 30 years, a good safety record.

The event was cancelled last year due to foot-and-mouth and as a mark of respect to those killed and injured, the remaining stages of this year's rally has also been cancelled.