The Irish Republic's top policeman, the Garda Commissioner, has said he is "deeply saddened" after the death of a member of the Garda in Donegal.

Garda Gary McLoughlin, 24, died after he was involved in a collision with a car that happened at Lisfannon on the road from Letterkenny to Bridgend at 1.30am yesterday.

The crash happened near the border as officers followed a car that was heading for the Co Londonderry border. It left the policeman fatally injured, and tragically, he died overnight in Letterkenny General Hospital.

His colleague Bernard McLoughlin ,23, (unrelated), was also rushed to hospital following the high speed crash, and is said to be in a stable condition.

The incident is believed to have involved a high speed chase of a red Opel Astra heading towards the Derry border.

The gardai had pulled their car off the road to avoid an oncoming car, which colleagues had been pursuing at Lisfannon, near Buncrana, Co Donegal, at 1.30am on Sunday.

It is understood that officers in an unmarked garda car had recognised the driver of the Northern Ireland-registered Astra - who they believed was wanted on a warrant - at a filling station.

The patrol car, driven by Gda Gary McLoughlin, was travelling in the direction of the border when the Astra suddenly turned around and began driving back towards them.

Speaking following the death, Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy (pictured) said: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the death early this morning of a young colleague, Garda Gary Mc Loughlin".

"Garda McLoughlin died from injuries he sustained while on duty in the service of the community following a road traffic collision in the early hours of Sunday 13th December.

"At this time my thoughts and prayers - and those of the entire force are with the family, colleagues and friends of Garda McLoughlin.

"I trust that the other people injured in the collision including Garda McLoughlin's colleague will make a full recovery."

"This is the second tragedy to befall the Donegal Garda Division this year highlighting in stark terms the dangers Gardaí can face each day as they go about their work of policing and rendering assistance to the community."

Last week, the passenger of a car which was being 'monitored' by the PSNI was killed when hit by a police car which had just rounded a bend and crashed into the vehicle that was believed to be making a U-turn in the road.

At the time, SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat extended his sympathies to the motorist who died on the Ballybogey Road near Portrush.

"All road deaths are tragic and regrettable, but one in the run-up to Christmas is particularly heart-breaking.

"My understanding is this accident occurred as a result of a collision between a police vehicle and a Renault Clio car on the Ballybogey Road between Ballymoney and Portrush.

"My sincerest sympathies go out to all those involved and I wish to extended my condolences to the friends of family of the unfortunate man who lost his life," he said.

The accident happened about 4am on Thursday. A 29-year-old man who was also in the Clio was taken to hospital with injuries that are described as not life-threatening.

See: Road Death 'Tragic'

(DW/BMcc)