Donegal Crash: Teens Daniel Cullen & Caoimhin Porter Named as Victims
Two eighteen-year-old men died and another sustained serious injuries when a car collided with a lorry in St Johnston, County Donegal, on Tuesday night. The deceased have been named locally as Daniel Cullen and Caoimhin Porter, both from the Shantallow area of Derry.
The crash occurred at approximately 11:15 PM on the R236 road, near Lifford, when a Vauxhall Corsa travelling towards Derry collided with a Volvo FH 500 lorry towing a cattle trailer. The injured teenager, also eighteen, was transported to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment.
According to reports, the three young men were returning from a trip to Asda in Strabane when the incident occurred. Fr Damien Nejad, a local priest, arrived at the scene shortly after the crash and administered last rites to one of the victims. “It was exceptionally, very sad,” Fr Nejad said. “I said a prayer over the body of a young man. There is just shock in the area. It is shocking that this could happen here.”
One of the young men was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died a short time later at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. Derry-based cleric Fr Michael Canny met with the families on Wednesday, describing them as being in “total shock.” “This is a close knit community that sticks together, but nevertheless their lives are now going to be changed forever. We also pray for the young man in hospital,” he said. He added that the thoughts of the city were with the devastated families.
The Shantallow Community Centre opened its Youth Wing to provide support, with grief counsellors available on site. A spokesperson for the centre stated their thoughts and deepest condolences were with the families and those who knew the young men.
Local authorities have identified the location of the crash as a known collision blackspot. Rev Craig Wilson, a local Presbyterian Minister, described the incident as “terrible,” adding, “We have families devastated and the loss of two teenage lives is desperate. We heard the sirens going on Tuesday night.”
Garda Forensic Collision Investigators arrived at the scene at approximately 10:30 AM on Wednesday to conduct a technical examination, resulting in road closures and diversions. Donegal County Councillor Gary Doherty described the incident as “an absolutely devastating tragedy.” “Our thoughts, are to the family and friends of the young lads who have lost their lives and also to the other young lad who is in hospital,” he said. He noted the entire community in St Johnston and east Donegal was in shock, emphasizing the close ties between the region and Derry and Tyrone.
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood called the crash a “profound tragedy,” stating, “Today and the days ahead will be unimaginably difficult. But I know that people in Derry and Donegal will offer them every possible support to get through this.”
The Donegal Coroner, Dr Denis McCauley, has been notified and post-mortem examinations are scheduled to take place. Gardaí are appealing to the public for information, specifically requesting camera footage – including dashcam recordings – from road users who were travelling in the area between 10:45 PM and 11:45 PM on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station at (074) 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.