DONEGAL — A male spectator died and two other spectators were injured after being struck by a competing car during the Gartan stage of the Donegal International Rally on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Motorsport Ireland and Donegal Motor Club canceled the remainder of the rally following the fatality.

The incident occurred at Trentagh, near Kilmacrennan, shortly before 5 p.m. on Saturday, during the first pass of the Gartan stage, which was the 12th of 20 stages in the rally. An Garda Siochana stated that emergency services and police were alerted after a number of spectators were injured in an incident involving a participating car. The force said the scene of the accident has been preserved for technical examination.

The deceased spectator, who was in his mid-teens, was transported by ambulance to Letterkenny University Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Two other spectators were also taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An Garda Siochana stated it was investigating the sudden death of a male youth following an incident at a motorsport event in Donegal on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Motorsport Ireland and Donegal Motor Club issued a joint statement confirming a young male spectator had passed away. Organizers stated the decision to cancel the rest of the rally was taken as a mark of respect, and they expressed their deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased. They also asked that the family's privacy be respected. Motorsport Ireland and An Garda Siochana have started an investigation into the circumstances of the accident.

Before the event was stopped, Kris Meeke was leading the rally, ahead of Callum Devine and Josh McErlean. This marked the first fatality at the Donegal International Rally since driver Manus Kelly died in a crash in 2019. An 18-year-old spectator died at the event in 2008, which resulted in the cancellation of that year's rally. Two marshals died in an accident at the rally in 2002. The last spectator fatality at a Motorsport Ireland-sanctioned event prior to this incident occurred at the Cavan Stages in 2012, when two spectators died.