Garda probe after rally driver’s race sabotaged

GARDAÍ have launched an investigation after one of the country’s leading rally drivers was involved in a high-speed crash after debris was deliberately thrown on the road.

Large rocks and a plank studded with nails were placed across the circuit during a stage of the rally in north Cork on Sunday, forcing race leader Eugene Donnelly off the road.

Gardaí are also investigating reports that a similar attempt was made the previous day to force the Northern driver out of the race at a stage held near Macroom.

It’s the second time in a month Mr Donnelly has been targeted. During the Ulster International Rally rocks were put on the road causing a puncture.

The PSNI is understood to be carrying out an investigation into alleged threats against the driver, which are said not to be related to rallying.

Gardaí said the car was travelling at speeds of nearly 100mph when it hit the rocks. “Fortunately, driver Donnelly and co-driver Paul Kiely were not injured. But they were fairly shocked by what happened,” said a garda spokesman. He said if the car had spun out of control and ploughed into spectators the result could have been extremely serious.

The crash happened shortly before 5pm at Ballinagar, on a minor road a mile south of the village of Killavullen, near Mallow. They had completed about one-and-a-half miles of the final stage of the Murphy Construction Cork “20” International Rally when the crash occurred.

Despite not finishing the race, event organisers awarded the rally to Mr Donnelly, who was nine seconds ahead of nearest challenger, Derek McGarrity. It was the penultimate event of the Irish Tarmac Championships and it was decided the two drivers would share the overall title.

Yesterday, Mr Donnelly felt quite sore after the accident with discomfort in his shoulders and collarbone. After meeting with gardaí at Mallow in the early afternoon, he said: “I am delighted to have won the rally and even more delighted to share the Tarmac Championship with Derek. We’ve had some great battles throughout the year, but at the end of the day, it is a sport.”

Mr McGarrity said while he and Mr Donnelly were rivals, they were good friends and he was “sickened” by the whole thing.