A garda injured in a head-on car crash while on patrol in Co Donegal has died.
Gary McLoughlin, 24, from Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, was injured in the collision at 1.30am on Sunday morning.
The crash happened at Lisfannon on the Letterkenny to Bridgend road after gardai were alerted to a car driving off from a filling station at high speed.
Mr McLaughlin died overnight in Letterkenny General Hospital.
His colleague, Garda Bernard McLoughlin, from Gurteen, Co Sligo, was also injured in the incident and was said to be in a stable condition.
The driver of the other car involved in the crash was also in a stable condition at the hospital.
The two officers had been called out in their marked patrol car to support colleagues who were in an unmarked car in pursuit of a Northern-registered Opel Astra.
The car had been seen leaving a filling station before heading in the direction of the border.
It is understood the accident happened when the Northern registered car turned on the road and collided with the marked garda car.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy paid tribute to the young garda, saying he died serving the community.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern also expressed deep regret over the young officer's death.
Mass was said in the Buncrana Garda Station on Sunday night, where Gda McLoughlin had been stationed.
The Garda Ombudsman is investigating.
© Press Association