Gardaí investigate as two die in rally crash

A GARDA investigation is under way into how two spectators were killed and seven others injured after a car taking part in a rally in Co Cavan went out of control.

The man who died was named locally as Joe Lane (51), a photographer from Galway. The woman, Caroline Cleary (29), from Inniskeen, Co Cork, was there with her partner, who is a rally driver.

Five other people were taken to Cavan hospital with injuries along with the driver of the car and his co-driver.

The Health Service Executive declined to provide details of their injuries, though some are believed to be serious.

Gardaí and Motorsport Ireland, the governing body for the sport, have launched separate investigations.

They are likely to focus on issues such as why the car went out of control and the marshalling of the race.

The crash occurred at 11.10am on stage one of the Cavan Motor Club special stages rally, shortly after the three-stage 90-mile race had begun.

Eyewitnesses said the car, a Mark II Escort, became airborne after driving over a hump in the road at high speed.

As it landed, it appeared to go out of control and crashed into a fence outside a house near Bailieborough, where spectators were standing.

John Fisher, who was further up the road and witnessed the incident with his nine-year-old grandson, said the spectators were well back from the road side.

“There was a bank behind them. Once the car hit that fence they hadn’t a hope,” he said.

Another onlooker, who declined to be named, described the scene following the crash.

“It was harrowing: bodies were strewn all over the place. A lot of carnage. From what I could see there were two fatalities. Maybe eight injured, one seriously.

“There were seven or eight ambulances on the scene shortly afterwards,” he said.

Paul McClay, who attended the race as a reporter for local radio station Ocean FM, had a narrow escape.

He had intended to stand beside Mr Lane, the photographer who died, but was unable to do so.

“My heart goes out to the families,” said Mr McClay.

Brian McEnroe, one of 180 volunteer race marshals who attended on the day from clubs all over the country, said he was shocked.

“There has to be a serious shake-up with the clubs and the marshals,” he said.

Cavan Motor Club expressed deep regret at the incident. “At this time all our energy is focused on the families of those involved in this tragic accident,” club secretary Jim Reilly said.

“The relevant authorities were immediately advised of the incident and the rally rescue services attended the scene. An investigation has begun into all facts surrounding the accident.”

He said all marshals were trained and experienced in the positions they were allocated and were directed by sector marshals. He said all the procedures were in place and there were signs, tapes and no-go areas.

Mr Reilly could not say whether the area where the injured spectators were standing was within a no-go area.

Garda Supt Gerry O’Brien said the Garda helicopter had been dispatched to take aerial photographs of the scene.

Forensic investigators had attended and the car had been removed for technical examination.

“Where they were standing, one would assume they would have been safe, in the front garden of a private house,” Supt O’Brien said. “It all happened in seconds; they didn’t have a chance to run.”

A family liaison officer was in attendance at Cavan General Hospital to assist the families of the dead and injured, he added.

Gardaí are taking statements from witnesses and have asked anyone in the vicinity of the crash to contact them as part of their investigation.

More than 100 cars from all over Ireland were involved in the rally, a yearly event organised by the club. Mr Reilly said it was cancelled immediately after the crash occurred.

Locals in Bailieboro had been anticipating an enjoyable day of sunshine and rally watching yesterday morning and were shocked at what had occurred.

They congregated in and around the Bailie Hotel, which had sponsored the rally.

Mary Nulty, a local, said there had been great excitement in the town beforehand.

“I was very shocked to hear what happened; it’s too dangerous,” she said.

Gerry Reilly said he attended the rally every year and was sad to hear about the deaths.

“It was a terrible thing to happen.”