Two in clifftop fall were returning from party

TWO men who slipped off a cliff edge in Donegal had been partying with friends and were waiting for a taxi when the tragedy occurred yesterday.

Niall Anderson, 21, a painter from Cavangarden in Ballyshannon, died when he plunged 90 feet from the cliffs at Rossnowlagh at 7am on Sunday.

His 19-year-old friend, college student Alan Gallagher from Clyhore, Ballyshannon landed half way down the cliff. He remains on a life support machine at Sligo General Hospital. A hospital spokesperson said: “He is critically ill.”

Gardaí believe one of the men slipped on the cliff and the other went to his aid. Relatives said the young men had enjoyed a night on the town with other pals in Bundoran.

The duo and another man and four girls moved on in the early hours to the home of one of the group for a party at Rossnowlagh, nine miles from Bundoran. The girls later went home by taxi.

The young men were waiting for it to return for them when the accident happened.

There were reports locally that when one lad slipped on the cliff edge the other tried to grab him and then also slipped and toppled over.

Ballyshannon Parish Priest Fr Cathal Ó Fearrraí, who administered the last rites, said: “It’s a terrible tragedy. I know the family well. They are lovely, hardworking people.

“The whole community is shocked.”

Prayers for the dead man were said at Masses in the area.

Both victims were popular local sportsmen. They played Gaelic football with Aodh Rua and soccer with Erne Wanderers in Ballyshannon.

The victims are thought to have wandered near a dangerous section of clifftop 40 yards from the Smuggler’ Creek pub at Rossnowlagh.

It is also close to the back entrance to another landmark, the Franciscan Friary, and overlooking a third well-known premises, the Sand House Hotel.

There is a sign at the spot warning the public not to go close to the cliff edge. It was roped off yesterday by blue and white garda tape as officers took measurements at the scene.

The area is a popular holiday spot, mainly for visitors from Northern Ireland.

A priest was called to the scene.

The injured man was removed by ambulance to Sligo General hospital.