Latest news with #CorkAutograssRacingClub
The Journal
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Journal
Funeral of Lauren O'Brien, 13-year-old girl killed at Cork racing event, takes place today
THE FUNERAL OF Lauren O'Brien, a 13-year-old girl who died at a motorsport event in west Cork over the weekend, is set to take place today. Lauren O'Brien from Terelton, Co Cork was competing in a heat at at the Cork Autograss Racing Club on Sunday when the fatal crash occurred. Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 3.30pm, when her car went out of control and crashed in to a barrier. However, all efforts to save her life failed. Autograss is a form of motor racing on mud or grass which usually features modified production cars or buggies fitted with roll-cages. A garda investigation has been launched in to the incident, with an inquest set to be held at a later date. Advertisement A requiem mass for Lauren will take place today at St. Joseph's Church in Castletownkenneigh, Co Cork at midday. The funeral will take place shortly after in the nearby Terelton Cemetery. Lauren's family have asked for privacy, especially during the funeral for Lauren. A number of tributes have been paid to the 13-year-old. McEgan College, a secondary school in Macroom, Co Cork which Lauren attended, described her as 'a beautiful girl, inside and out'. 'Bubbly, fun-loving, kind, caring, a lovable rogue. Lauren's vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever by all at McEgan College. 'She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community,' a statement from the school added. Irish racing driver Hanna Celsie said in a post online that her 'heart goes out to the family and friends of this young, talented girl who sadly passed away after an accident'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sky News
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Sky News
Tributes paid to 13-year-old girl Lauren O'Brien killed in motorsport racing crash in County Cork
Tributes have been paid to a "beautiful" 13-year-old girl who died in a motorsport racing crash in County Cork. Lauren O'Brien was competing in an Autograss event at a race track in Castletown-Kinneigh, close to Bandon in west Cork, when her vehicle crashed on Sunday afternoon. The teenager, from Knockane near Tarelton, died at the scene at the Cork Autograss Racing Club and her body was taken to Cork University Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Autograss is a form of motor racing on mud or grass which usually features modified production cars or buggies fitted with roll-cages. Irish police are investigating the circumstances of the crash. Lauren was a first-year student at McEgan College in Macroom and her school paid tribute on its Facebook page. "Lauren was a beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue," it said. "Lauren's vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever by all at McEgan College. "She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community. "We extend our deepest sympathy to her loving family, her parents Therese and Timmy, her brother Josh who is a 2nd year student at our school, sister Shannon, and all those who loved Lauren and had the privilege of knowing her." The school opened on Monday, a public holiday, to offer support to students. "May Lauren's beautiful soul rest in peace," the statement added. Irish racing driver Hanna Celsie also posted a tribute on social media on Monday morning. "My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young talented girl who sadly passed away yesterday after an accident, racing at an event put on by Cork Autograss Racing Club. RIP," she wrote. Cork Sinn Fein senator Nicole Ryan said she was "heartbroken" in a post on Facebook. "Lauren's passion for motorsport and her bright spirit will never be forgotten," she said. "My deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all affected by this terrible loss." The Road Race Alliance of Ireland extended its sympathies to Lauren's family and friends, while noting it represented two and three wheeled motorsports, and not Autograss. "We are all part of one wider motorsport family - and today, we grieve together," it said. "Lauren was a young girl with a brave heart and a passion for racing. "Her loss is unimaginable, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to her family, her friends, her fellow competitors, and everyone who knew and loved her. "When a tragedy like this happens, it ripples through every paddock, every track, and every corner of the racing world.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tributes paid to 13-year-old girl Lauren O'Brien killed in motorsport racing crash in County Cork
Tributes paid to 13-year-old girl Lauren O'Brien killed in motorsport racing crash in County Cork Tributes have been paid to a "beautiful" 13-year-old girl who died in a motorsport racing crash in County Cork. Lauren O'Brien was competing in an Autograss event at a race track in Castletown-Kinneigh, close to Bandon in west Cork, when her vehicle crashed on Sunday afternoon. The teenager, from Knockane near Tarelton, died at the scene at the Cork Autograss Racing Club and her body was taken to Cork University Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Autograss is a form of motor racing on mud or grass which usually features modified production cars or buggies fitted with roll-cages. ADVERTISEMENT Irish police are investigating the circumstances of the crash. Lauren was a first-year student at McEgan College in Macroom and her school paid tribute on its Facebook page. "Lauren was a beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue," it said. "Lauren's vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever by all at McEgan College. "She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community. "We extend our deepest sympathy to her loving family, her parents Therese and Timmy, her brother Josh who is a 2nd year student at our school, sister Shannon, and all those who loved Lauren and had the privilege of knowing her." The school opened on Monday, a public holiday, to offer support to students. ADVERTISEMENT "May Lauren's beautiful soul rest in peace," the statement added. Irish racing driver Hanna Celsie also posted a tribute on social media on Monday morning. "My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young talented girl who sadly passed away yesterday after an accident, racing at an event put on by Cork Autograss Racing Club. RIP," she wrote. Read more from Sky News: Two motorbike racers killed in 11-bike crash British student nurse stabbed to death in Texas Cork Sinn Fein senator Nicole Ryan said she was "heartbroken" in a post on Facebook. "Lauren's passion for motorsport and her bright spirit will never be forgotten," she said. "My deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all affected by this terrible loss." The Road Race Alliance of Ireland extended its sympathies to Lauren's family and friends, while noting it represented two and three wheeled motorsports, and not Autograss. ADVERTISEMENT "We are all part of one wider motorsport family - and today, we grieve together," it said. "Lauren was a young girl with a brave heart and a passion for racing. "Her loss is unimaginable, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to her family, her friends, her fellow competitors, and everyone who knew and loved her. "When a tragedy like this happens, it ripples through every paddock, every track, and every corner of the racing world. "No matter what we ride or drive, we all understand the love, the risk, and the heartbreak that comes with this sport."
The Irish Sun
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
‘Fondly remembered forever' – Cork community in shock as family pay tribute to ‘darling' motorsport crash victim, 13
TEEN motorsport crash victim Lauren O'Brien's 'vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered forever', her school said today. Tributes have been paid to the 13-year-old, who 5 Police are treating Lauren O'Brien's death as a tragic accident Credit: 5 Tributes have been paid to 'beautiful' Lauren Credit: Social Media Collect 5 The death occurred at a Cork Autograss Racing Club event Credit: Andy Gibson Her vehicle crashed at a private race track in Castletown-Kinneigh, around 20km from Bandon in west Cork, at around 3.30pm. Lauren was competing in only her second ever race when her hatchback The young racer, from Knockane, near Tarelton, died at the scene and her body was taken to Cork University Lauren was a first-year student at McEgan College in Macroom, with principal Trish Lynam telling how the youngster loved Read more in Irish news She added: 'It was only her second race but she was so, so proud being able to compete in this particular area.' Autograss racing involves buggies or specially modified cars — with Lauren one of four junior drivers taking part in a qualification event. It was being held in conjunction with a number of other races. Large numbers of spectators, including members of her And other youngsters who were taking part in the heat were deeply upset by what occurred. Most read in The Irish Sun Safety marshals rushed to help and, within 15 minutes, a Racing, which got underway at 11am, was immediately suspended when the accident happened. TAKING STATEMENTS Officers have begun taking statements from people who saw the shocking accident unfold. The Coroner was notified of the death and an inquest will be held at a later date. A family liaison officer has been appointed to help relatives. TRIBUTES PAID Paying tribute, her In a statement on 'We extend our deepest sympathy to her loving family, her parents Therese and Timmy, her brother Josh, who is a second-year student at our school, sister Shannon, and all those who loved Lauren and had the privilege of knowing her.' And the principal, Ms Lynam, said Lauren had 'that special quality that people look for in students', adding that she was 'fierce popular'. GRIEF SUPPORT She told "She was so full of life, a beautiful, kind-hearted, popular person with both her peers and her teachers.' McEgan College opened for three hours on the bank holiday today to support devastated classmates. It followed a meeting of the school's critical incident team. 'TAKEN SO QUICKLY' Ms Lynam said: 'A lot of parents did accompany their child in because parents are struggling also. "It's not something we've experienced, for someone so young to be taken so quickly from us.' Grief experts from the National Educational Psychological Service will be available for Lauren's friends to chat to today. Irish racing driver Hanna Celsie also paid tribute to the teenager. SENATOR'S WORDS She posted: 'My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young talented girl who sadly past away after an accident, racing at an event put on by Cork Autograss Racing Club. RIP.' Cork She wrote on Facebook: 'Lauren's passion for motorsport and her bright spirit will never be forgotten. 'My deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all affected by this terrible loss.' 'UNIMAGINABLE' LOSS And the Road Race Alliance of Ireland, which represents two and three-wheeled motorsports, also extended its sympathies to Lauren's family and friends. They said: 'We are all part of one wider motorsport family, and today, we grieve together. 'Lauren was a young girl with a brave heart and a passion for racing. 'Her loss is unimaginable, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to her family, her friends, her fellow competitors, and everyone who knew and loved her. 'HEARTBREAK' 'When a tragedy like this happens, it ripples through every paddock, every track, and every corner of the racing world. "No matter what we ride or drive, we all understand the love, the risk, and the heartbreak that comes with this sport.' Meanwhile, Kart Paddock, a They said: 'Thoughts and condolences are with the family, friends, teams and everyone in the Autograss Racing Club paddock.' 'DARLING DAUGHTER' The family paid their own tribute to Lauren as they announced her passing, and called her their "darling daughter". They said: "It is with deepest regret that we announce the death of our beloved daughter Lauren, who died unexpectedly on the 4th of May 2025, surrounded by her family, following an accident. "Lauren's family would like to thank the Emergency Services, The Cork Autograss Community and all those who helped." They added that Lauren will be sadly missed by her brother and sister, parents, grandparents, godparents, extended family and wide circle of friends. RACING CLUB Cork Autograss Club was formed in 1998 by members of the West Cork Hot Rod club. It races from the Castletown Kennigh Track, part of a wider community complex that includes a soccer pitch. Night races are also held at the track, which is fully floodlit. A major track extension was carried out in 2010 in conjunction with Castletown Celtic GARDA APPEAL Autograss racing sees competitors take to a loose surface track in a wide variety of vehicles. The Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the incident. Anyone who was at the event between 3pm and 4pm on Sunday and has video footage are asked to make this available to officers investigating the tragedy. A Garda spokesperson said: 'Anyone with information is asked to contact Bandon Garda Station on (023) 885 2200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.' Lauren's death is being treated by cops as a tragic accident. 5 Gardai attended the scene at the racetrack Credit: Denis Boyle 5 Sinn Fein's Nicole Ryan sent her condolences to the family Credit: Sinn Fein
BBC News
05-05-2025
- BBC News
Cork: Tributes paid to Lauren O'Brien, 13, who died in motorsport crash
Tributes have been paid to a 13-year-old girl who died following a crash at a motorsport event in the Republic of Ireland on O'Brien was taking part in a qualifying heat for a Cork Autograss Racing Club event when the vehicle she was driving was pronounced dead at the scene, according to An Garda Síochána (Irish police). It happened at Enniskeane, County Cork, at about 15:30 local time. McEgan College described Lauren as a "beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue".A statement posted on social media said she will be missed "dearly" by her classmates, friends and statement said psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service would be at the school to provide support. In a social media post, Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan said: "Lauren's passion for motorsport and her bright spirit will never be forgotten."Gardaí said investigations into the crash are have appealed for information.
