Tributes For Pair Killed In Irish Rally Crash

Two spectators killed when a rally car ploughed into a crowd died watching a sport of their passion, their clubs have said.

Tributes have been paid to female rally co-driver Caroline Cleary, who is believed to have been pregnant, and photographer Joe Lane after they died when a Ford Escort lost control at a race in Ireland.

Five other spectators and the Escort's driver and co-driver remain in hospital.

Ms Cleary, 30, a navigator and co-driver with Wexford Motor Club, was watching boyfriend Sean Hayde take part in the Cavan Stages Rally as the tragedy unfolded.

Pat O'Dowd, of Wexford Motor Club, said: "It's a sad sad day for everyone. Caroline always had a smile on her face and was always happy to help."

"From the time she could get out and about she was, as a spectator, a club member, a co-driver.

"Motor sport was her life."

Ms Cleary recently moved to Cork from Wexford to be with her partner.

Father-of-two Mr Lane, 50, from Kilgoggin, Co Galway, was a part-time motor sports photographer and a regular contributor to publications.

Mark Parsons, of Galway Motor Club, said: "Joe passed away doing what he loved, taking photographs of rally cars in action.

"Our thoughts are now with his family and with the family of Caroline Cleary who also died in this tragic accident."

Police and Motorsport Ireland, which governs the sport, have launched separate investigations into the accident which happened on a road about a mile outside Bailieboro in Co Cavan on Sunday morning.

The sport has been hit by several tragedies in recent years.

Teenage rally fan Richard O'Donnell, from Strabane, was killed as he tried to cross a country road during the Donegal International Rally in 2008.

The 18-year-old was struck by a competing Ford Fiesta on the eleventh stage of the competition, which is one of the biggest sporting events in the country.

Two years ago co-driver Thomas Maguire died in a crash in the Donegal rally, and in 2002 two stewards were also killed in the event.