A 24 year old Garda has died in hospital after he was injured in a crash in Donegal while on duty in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Gary McLoughlin, who was stationed in Buncrana was hurt when a car he and a colleague were pursuing turned around and drove straight at their patrol car – he lost his fight for life overnight.

The pair had been called to assist colleagues who were following a Northern registered car which was heading towards the border at high speed.

Mayor of Buncrana Lee Tedstone told Breakfast here on Newstalk it’s a very difficult time.

“Although I wouldn’t have known him very well, I would know him to say hello to and how you doing – so I would know a lot his colleagues…very, very well” he said.

“I’ve spoken to a few of them this morning and obviously they’re all devastated as well”.

“I think it’s very difficult…particularly for a young Gardai, and like I say we have a very young force up here  – I think (for) a a lot of them it’s the first time they’ve seen anything like this so it’s a very, very difficult time for them as well you know” he added.