Tributes paid to 22-year-old Irishman killed in car crash in Qatar

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Residents of Qatar and Ireland have been paying tribute to a young expat who died in a car accident last week.

According to media reports, 22-year-old Darragh Walsh, who hailed from County Mayo in Ireland, was killed last Thursday night, only two weeks after moving to Qatar.

Walsh had apparently been out with work colleagues, and was traveling home in a taxi that was involved in a crash. No further details of the location or circumstances of the accident have been disclosed.

News of Walsh’s death comes only a day after Qatar announced measures to improve road safety by rolling out better-trained police officers.

Separately, a young woman was killed in an accident last week near the Qatar National Convention Center, after her car was caught between two vehicles whose drivers were allegedly racing.

One car apparently lost control, causing the accident. A girl traveling in the young woman’s car is still in critical condition, a person close to the matter told Doha News.

Tributes

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The Irish Independent states that Walsh had begun working for an Irish company in Qatar earlier this month, but did not specify which one. Different reports said he worked in IT, and as an engineer.

Walsh was a keen gaelic football player, and an active member of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) a cultural and sporting organization that promotes Gaelic games.

His local club in Ireland, the Neale GAA, said in a statement on its Facebook page:

“Crushingly bad news this evening. The club is devastated with the news of the tragic death of Darragh Walsh. Simply hard to believe. We will all miss you. Truly only the good die young. Our thoughts are with Gerry and Miriam and his brothers and sisters and his extended family and friends.”

Tributes

Although Walsh had only been in Qatar for a short period, he had already forged links with the Qatar GAA. Club member Barry O’Sullivan wrote on Facebook:

“RIP – Darragh, deepest sympathies from everyone at Qatar GAA to all your family and friends.”

Fellow GAA member James Kennedy added:

“On behalf of the Middle East County Board I would like to extend our condolences to Darragh’s family at this tragic time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May he rest in peace.”

Meanwhile, many have been paying their respects on Twitter:

Darragh Walsh is survived by his father, Gerry Walsh, his mother Miriam, and two sisters and two brothers.

The Independent reports that the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi is assisting the family, and will help them repatriate his body.

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