Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 9295Dangerous driving causing death · Co. Donegal · 2 Jul 2025

Man charged over Glentogher crash deaths of mother and daughter, Donegal

On the evening of 2 July 2025, Ella McLaughlin, aged 6, died at the scene of a collision at Glentogher, outside Carndonagh, Co Donegal, and her mother, Natalie McLaughlin, aged 27, died the following day at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Tyrone Irwin and Rhea Irwin, who was 20 months old at the time, were also injured. Lochlainn Doherty, now 19, was arrested on Main Street, Buncrana, and charged with eight offences, including dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, driving without insurance and having no driving licence. He appeared at Buncrana District Court, made no reply to the charges, and was remanded on his own bail to Carndonagh District Court on 15 September for directions from the DPP, after the judge adjourned the case and allowed an extension of time to prepare a book of evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Ella McLaughlin, aged 6, died at the scene.
  • Natalie McLaughlin, aged 27, died the following day at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
  • Tyrone Irwin and Rhea Irwin were also injured in the crash, and Rhea was 20 months old at the time.
Where
The collision took place at Glentogher, outside Carndonagh, Co Donegal.
When
  • The collision happened on the evening of 2 July 2025.
  • The court appearance is dated 1 June 2026 in the article header and 23 June 2026 in the article text.
Investigation
The accused was arrested on Main Street, Buncrana.
Charges
  • Lochlainn Doherty, now 19, is charged with a total of eight offences.
  • He is charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing the deaths of Natalie and Ella McLaughlin.
  • He is charged with dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Tyrone Irwin and Rhea Irwin.
  • He is charged with two counts of driving without insurance and with having no driving licence, at the Isle of Doagh and at Glentogher.
In court
  • He appeared at Buncrana District Court in connection with the deaths and did not make any reply to the charges.
  • Gardaí said there was no objection to bail and no bail conditions, and he was remanded on his own bail.
  • He was remanded to Carndonagh District Court on 15 September for directions from the DPP, and the judge adjourned the case and allowed an extension of time for preparing a book of evidence.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatElla McLaughlin, aged 6, died at the scene. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatNatalie McLaughlin, aged 27, died the following day at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe collision took place at Glentogher, outside Carndonagh, Co Donegal. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe collision happened on the evening of 2 July 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with a total of eight offences. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing the deaths of Natalie and Ella McLaughlin. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Tyrone Irwin and Rhea Irwin. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with two counts of driving without insurance, at the Isle of Doagh and at Glentogher. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with having no driving licence at the Isle of Doagh and at Glentogher. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtLochlainn Doherty, now 19, appeared at Buncrana District Court in connection with the deaths. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused did not make any reply to the charges. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtGardaí said there was no objection to bail and no conditions on bail. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused was remanded on his own bail to Carndonagh District Court on 15 September for directions from the DPP. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the case and allowed an extension of time for preparing a book of evidence. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherTyrone Irwin and Rhea Irwin were also injured in the crash. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused was arrested on Main Street, Buncrana. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Man charged with deaths of mother and six-year-old daughter in Donegal crash

    First court appearance of the accused, who is charged with eight offences including dangerous driving causing death and serious bodily harm, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

    accused, Lochlainn Doherty, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Lochlainn Dohertyvictim, Natalie McLaughlin, 27, female, irish (judged from name)Natalie McLaughlinvictim, Ella McLaughlin, 6, female, irish (judged from name)Ella McLaughlinvictim, Tyrone Irwin, 30s, irish (judged from name)Tyrone Irwinvictim, Rhea Irwin, 20 months at the time of the crash, female, irish (judged from name)Rhea Irwin