Man, 50, charged over fatal ‘hit-&-run’ tragedy
Young mum was due to be married
A MAN has appeared in court charged with road traffic offences relating to a fatal alleged hit-and-run collision in Donegal.
Letterkenny District Court heard evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Sean Connaughton, who has an address in Dundalk, Co Louth.
The 50-year-old was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of causing death or serious injury following the alleged hitand-run incident.
Detective Garda Derek Connaughton said the accused made no reply when charged.
Gardai said Sean Connaughton was charged with two related road traffic offences at Townparks in Lifford, Co Donegal.
At approximately 2.45am officers and emergency services went to the scene of a traffic collision on the N15 near the border town.
A female pedestrian, named locally as Laura Connolly, 34, was taken from the scene by ambulance to University Hospital Letterkenny where she was later pronounced dead.
The accused appeared in court, but did not speak during the brief hearing. There were no Garda objections to bail, but conditions were requested and granted by Judge Deirdre Gearty.
A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further directions.
The matter was adjourned to October 18 and bail was granted on Connaughton’s own bond of €100.
Meanwhile, the priest who is to conduct the funeral of the tragic road victim has vowed to remember her on the day she was due to be married next year.
The 34-year-old mother of one was killed when she
You don’t know how things can change so quickly
FR O’DOHERTY ON DEATH OF ROAD VICTIM
was struck by a van in Lifford on Sunday morning.
Laura was due to marry her teenage sweetheart Joe Mccullagh in September, 2022.
Just hours before she was killed Laura had been out shopping for wedding dresses.
Now instead of planning a wedding, her heartbroken family are preparing for her funeral.
Parish priest in Lifford, Fr Colm O’doherty, revealed how Laura and Joe had come to see him about making arrangements for their big day.
He said: “They were excited and I was naturally delighted for them. They had chosen
September of next year and I was very happy for them and their young son.
“But you just don’t know how things can change so quickly.”
Fr O’doherty revealed how he has made himself a promise to remember Laura and her family in a special way on what would have been the couple’s big day.
He added: “I don’t know what we will do but we will mark it in some special way. It’s the least we can do.”
The cleric also paid tribute to the people of Lifford and the wider community in Donegal for the support they have shown.
He has visited Laura’s family on a number of occasions since the tragedy in the early hours of Sunday.
Fr O’doherty added: ”Laura’s family have been amazing considering all they have been through.
“And the community have been so supportive.
“Sometimes words are not needed and all we need to be is to be there for somebody.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the community and what they have done since this awful
tragedy.”