The young woman who died in a fatal accident in Dungloe last night has been named.

Dawn Croke, a popular teacher and former Dungloe Mary, was tragically killed in an incident close to St Crona’s National School on Thursday evening.

The late Dawn Croke

Ms Croke, who was in her 30s, was a teacher at the local Rosses Community School. Her father Tony is still a teacher at the popular school in the heart of West Donegal.

The school remains closed today as a mark of respect following the tragedy. Members of the school community were invited to avail of support from 9.30am this Friday.

The exact details of how the tragedy happened remain unclear.

However, Ms Croke was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision which occurred after 6pm in the town.

A 6-year-old girl was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital where her condition is not known.  The driver of the car was not injured.

A full investigation into the tragedy has been launched and members of the Garda forensics team have arrived at the scene this morning. The road remains closed.

Ms Dawn Croke

Ms Croke was from a very popular local family who are steeped in the local community and the local music scene.

She recently brought a group of schoolchildren on a trip to Dail Eireann in Dublin.

A statement from Rosses Community School this morning said:

“Our school community wish to offer our sincerest condolences on the tragic death of our colleague and friend, Ms Dawn Croke. We offer our condolences to her father and staff member Tony Croke, his wife Anne, our student Emily, past pupils Aaron, Ethan and Adam, her partner Patrick, and her sons Jason and Calum on the sad passing of our wonderful teacher and friend Ms Dawn Croke.

“Our school wish to send our love and support to the family,  school and local community at this sad time. We, the school community, remember with love and fondness our colleague Dawn. We pray for the family and friends at this sad time.

“Funeral arrangements and other arrangements will be posted at a later date.

“May she rest in peace.”

Members of the local Mary from Dungloe organisation last night paid tribute to Ms Croke, who was the 2008 Dungloe Mary.

A spokesperson for the Mary from Dungloe committee said “We are asking committee members and Mary’s past and present to join us for a guard of honour at Dawn’s funeral.”