'They were lovely lads. Everybody is numb' - Donegal communities united in grief at the loss of young lives

In 2010 eight people lost their lives when seven young men in a black VW Passat died after the car was in collision with a red Toyota Corolla being driven by an elderly man near Buncrana, who also lost his life.

In July 2016 three pals died in a head-on collision in Corravaddy.

There have been more accidents where people have died on their own and in pairs.

Much of Donegal's landscape is barren, rugged, boggy and shifting, with roads winding over hills and hollows and taking sweeping left and right curves, all at the same time.

The surfaces are often poor, being subjected to everything a winter in Donegal can throw at them.

People also live in rural communities poorly served by transport links, meaning a car is the most efficient way of getting around.

This in turn means that young people are driving in large numbers trying to work, socialise and carry out every-day tasks such as shopping and meeting up with friends.

Yes, there can be many reasons for crashes, and time will tell what the forensic evidence presents in this case, but sadly it doesn't change the outcome for the families.

As with a lot of communities throughout Ireland, the local GAA club is the beating heart of this west Donegal community. Yesterday CLG Chloich Cheann Fhaola paid tribute to all four men who were members. "We wish to make the following statement with regards to the recent tragic loss of much valued community and club members - John Harley, Daniel Scott, Shaun Harkin and Mícheál Roarty," it said.

"We are deeply saddened to have to pay our deepest sympathies to the families of these four fine young men. As the tragic news unfolded and we learned of the loss of life it was with a great sadness that we came together this morning as a club to support fellow players, club members and friends; to grieve together and to share our own stories and memories of our much loved friends," it added.

"As a club we will rally around the families and friends of the deceased at this difficult time. Words cannot express the sense of loss and devastation being felt by all at CLG Chloich Cheann Fhaola. But we must be strong for one another and for the families of the boys who have so tragically passed on."

Now the tight-knit Gaeltacht communities in the beautiful but barren landscape around Mount Errigal are coming to terms with this latest massive loss of young lives on the roads.

At their homes, the families of the young men were being comforted by friends and neighbours yesterday.

There were scenes of quiet emotion and community support in the townland of Dunlewey yesterday evening, when as the light faded over the frost-dusted Mount Errigal mountain, Mícheál Roarty's body was brought home from Letterkenny Hospital to be waked at home.

Members of Dunlewey Celtic lined the road in the village as they waited for the hearse.

Club member Manus Cannon said Michael loved life.

"He smiled everywhere he went. We couldn't let this opportunity to honour him pass without turning out for him," he said.

Daniel Scott's family too were preparing to organise his funeral from his home at Bedlam, near Gortahork.

John Harley was from just outside Falcarragh on a quiet country road. Well known in the town, he was remembered fondly by the stunned community. Shaun Harkin lived not far away in the townland of Shroughan.

"They would often be in here, especially on a Saturday after training, but we knew all four. Tables 1 and 3 were their favourites," said the owner of the local Cafe Go Leor.

"Shaun never wanted black pudding, only white. John wanted no pudding at all but extra potato bread. That was their way, the little details we got to know so well over the years. They were lovely lads. Everybody is numb at the news of what happened."