Heartbreaking tribute paid to teenage girl who had smile that would ‘brighten up any room’ after horror Donegal crash

HEARTBROKEN colleagues of a teenage girl who died in a horror crash have paid tribute to her, saying: "She will always have special place in our hearts."

Staff at Simpson's Bar and Restaurant in Carndonagh, Donegal, said Alana Harkin, 18, had a smile that would "brighten up any room."

Alana and friend Thomas Gallagher, also 18, were both killed as they drove home from Simpson's around 12.30am after Alana had been working there.

Another man, understood to be another employee of Simpson's, was treated at Letterkenny University Hospital for non life-threatening injuries.

A fourth person in the car, another young woman, had earlier been dropped off at her home in Glengad moments before the tragedy.

A message left late last night on Simpson's Bar and Restaurant's Facebook page read: "It’s with a heavy heart that we lost our dear friend and colleague.

"Alana had a smile that would brighten up any room, she was always so bubbly and friendly, she will always have a special place in our hearts and will be sorely missed by all.

"We would like to send our deepest condolences to The Harkin & Gallagher families."

As a mark of respect Simpsons Bar and Restaurant will be closed on Friday and will reopen Saturday.

Alana had been a pupil at Carndonagh Community School and had sat her Leaving Cert last summer.

Thomas was a sixth year secondary school pupil at Moville Community College who was studying for his Leaving Cert.

Their families are well-known and very well respected members of the local community.

Tributes flowed in on social media for the two young people who were hugely popular in their respective schools and amongst their friends.

A full garda forensic investigation into the possible cause of the crash is ongoing.

Details of the young students' respective funerals are due to be released later today.

Alana and Thomas' remains will leave the Chapel of Rest at Mountaintop in Letterkenny today, Tuesday at 1pm going to their homes.