Death of Dillon Kelly is a ‘tragedy beyond words’

The young boy, from the Woods in Buncrana, passed away in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast on Sunday evening.

The eldest child of Colin and Sabrina, the popular little boy was a fifth year pupil at Scoil Iosagain in Buncrana, where children and teachers are heartbroken by his death.

Dillon, who has two younger brothers and a baby sister, passed away following a collision on Friday evening at Slavery Road, Tullyarvan, near the Woods estate, between 5.15 - 5.30pm.

Inishowen Garda Superintendent Eugene McGovern said Dillon and his 10-year-old friend were walking in the direction of St Joseph’s Park when he was struck by a blue 05DL Ford Transit van, travelling from Slavery in the direction of Buncrana town. He sustained serious injuries and was taken to Derry’s Altnagelvin Hospital, before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where he sadly passed away.

Supt McGovern said a number of witnesses to the collision have already come forward and Gardai have also obtained CCTV. Anyone who may have been in the vicinity between 5-6pm and has information that would assist Gardai is asked to call Buncrana Garda Station on 074 93 20540. Supt. McGovern expressed his sympathies to the young boy’s family, in what is an ‘awful tragedy.’

Buncrana curate, Fr John Walsh, said the community is ‘extremely upset’ at the tragic death of Dillon and everyone’s thoughts are with his parents and siblings. “All deaths cause sadness, but the death of a young person is a tragedy,” he said.

Fr Walsh is chairperson of the Scoil Iosagain Board of Management and said his thoughts are also with the pupils and staff who are ‘very upset.’ Dillon’s two brothers are at the school.

Councillor Rena Donaghey said the community is in ‘shock’ at the ‘devastating news.’ She expressed her sympathies with Dillon’s family, friends and neighbours and said the local community would rally around to help in any way they can in the ‘days, weeks and months ahead.’

Colr Donaghey said she also wanted to remember the driver involved in the collision and his family, ‘who have also been left devastated.’ She also paid tribute to the emergency services who were on the scene of the collision.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal, County Councillor Nicholas Crossan said Dillon’s death was a ‘terrible, terrible tragedy.’ “There are just no words for how devastating this is. Our thoughts are with his family.”