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Teenager Charged with Dangerous Driving in Fatal Donegal Crash

An 18-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of Natalie and Ella McLaughlin in a 2025 County Donegal crash. He faces multiple charges and will appear in court in September.

·2 min read
Natalie McLaughlin holds her young daughter Ella in her arms. She is smiling, has long blonde hair, and is wearing silver earrings, a pink overcoat and a black and white checked blouse. Ella is also smiling, and has a red bow in her long brown hair. The little girl is wearing a red dress. Behind them is a garden and house.

Fatal Crash in County Donegal

Ella and Natalie McLaughlin lost their lives in a collision in County Donegal last year.

An 18-year-old man has been formally charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of a mother and her daughter in County Donegal in 2025.

Lochlainn Doherty, residing in Doaghmore, Clonmany, appeared at Buncrana District Court on Tuesday facing eight charges.

Among these charges are dangerous driving causing the deaths of 27-year-old Natalie McLaughlin and her six-year-old daughter, Ella.

The fatal incident occurred on 2 July 2025, involving two vehicles on the R240 at Glentogher, Carndonagh.

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Ella McLaughlin died at the scene of the crash, while her mother, Natalie, passed away the following day at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Also involved were McLaughlin's partner, Tyrone Irwin, and their approximately 20-month-old daughter, Rhea, both of whom sustained injuries that were not life-threatening and received hospital treatment.

Charges and Court Proceedings

Doherty faces two counts of dangerous driving causing death, specifically relating to Natalie and Ella McLaughlin.

Additional charges include two counts of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Tyrone Irwin and Rhea McLaughlin, two counts of driving without a valid license, and two counts of driving without insurance.

Sgt Charlene Anderson provided testimony regarding the arrest, charge, and caution procedures.

She told Judge Emile Daly that the accused made no reply to the charges.

Doherty has been remanded on bail without conditions and is scheduled to appear before Carndonagh District Court on 15 September.

  • Mother of six-year-old killed in crash dies in hospital
  • Community 'can't comprehend' loss of mum and daughter in crash

This article was sourced from bbc

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