A St Patrick's Day parade has been cancelled after a pedestrian was killed in horrorcrash.

The man in his 60s died after the collision involving a car and two pedestrians in Letterkenny, a town in Co Donegal, Ireland, at around 3am on Monday. A second pedestrian was also airlifted to hospital in Galway. and is continuing to receive medical treatment for "serious" injuries. The car, reported to be a taxi, also crashed into a house, causing some minor damage. A man in his late teens was arrested at the scene and remains in custody, while the incident has been referred to the Garda ombudsman due to an earlier interaction between officers and the driver.

It comes as towns and cities It comes as towns and cities across the Republic of Ireland prepare to hold parades forSt Patrick's Day, where it is celebrated as a public holiday.

St Patrick's Day is celebrated as a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland (

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A Garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí continue to investigate a road traffic collision involving a car and two pedestrians, that occurred at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, this morning, Monday 17th March 2025. One of the pedestrians, a man aged in his 60s who was seriously injured in the collision, passed away at Letterkenny University Hospital earlier today.

"The Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. The second pedestrian, a man also aged in his 60’s, has been airlifted to Galway University Hospital where he continues to receive medical treatment for serious injuries. Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

St Patrick's Day celebrations are taking place across Ireland today (

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"Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 2.30am and 3.30am this morning, Monday 17th March 2025, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

"In particular, Gardaí are appealing to anybody who was in the area between Dry Arch Roundabout and Oldtown Road at the time. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on (074) 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."

The Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce later confirmed the cancellation of today's parade "out of the interest of public safety", reports Belfast Live. One local resident reacting to the news on Facebook described the death as a "heartbreaking day for Donegal", while another wrote: "Such a pity for all participants and organisers who put so much work into the day."

A spokesperson said: "It is with deep regret that we announce the cancellation of today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade following a serious traffic incident that occurred in the town early this morning. Following consultation with An Garda Síochána and in the interest of public safety, we have made the difficult decision not to proceed with the event.

"While we cannot comment on the specifics of the incident, we must prioritise the safety and well-being of our community and those attending. The parade route is directly affected, making it impossible to proceed as planned.

"We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly in preparing for today’s event—our volunteers, participants, local businesses, and supporters.

"Your dedication and effort do not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate your commitment to bringing this celebration to life. We understand this will be disappointing news for many, but we appreciate your understanding and support during this time."