The overturned car at Drennan outside of Ballybofey where a young 19 year old lost her life today. (North West Newspix)

THE teenage daughter of a popular Fine Gael county councillor has died in a road crash just 300 metres from her home.

Kym Harley, who celebrated her 19th birthday last week, died at the scene of the early morning smash in the town land of Dreenan, 1km outside the twin towns Ballybofey/Stranorlar in Co Donegal.

She was the front seat passenger in the Nissan car. A 19-year-old male driver of the vehicle received minor injuries in the crash.

Kym’s dad Martin Harley is a long-standing Fine Gael councillor for the area, regularly topping the local election polls.

The girl worked at the family owned Cheers Bar in Ballybofey.

Gardai say the car in which she was travelling appears to have struck a ditch before ending up on its roof.

Fire, gardai and ambulance crews attended the scene at 4.25am.

Kym, a former pupil at St Columba’s College in Stranorlar, died at the scene.

The teenage boy she was with was treated for minor injuries, said a Garda spokesman.

“Kym was such a beautiful, beautiful girl,” said one family friend today.

“Everyone in the town is trying to take in the news and to be honest we are all struggling.”

Friends said Kym had celebrated her 19th birthday last Thursday with her family.

“She was a brilliant girl and so popular,” said one friend.

“It’s so hard to take in.

"Kym was a happy-go-lucky teenager with her whole life ahead of her and that's the hardest part to take in."

Expand Close Kym Harley who died in a crash in Co Donegal. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Kym Harley who died in a crash in Co Donegal.

A keen student of Irish, she had a wide circle of friends and had regularly attended the Donegal gaeltacht.

Cllr Bernard McGuinness, the leader of Fine Gael on Donegal County Council, said colleagues of all parties are shocked at the death of the teenager.

"We are devastated," he said, "people from all parties are devastated for Martin and his family today at this awful news.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Harley family at this time."

A number of council meetings planned for today have been cancelled as a mark of respect to Cllr Harley and his family.

Many of Kym's friends were paying tributes to her on social media sites today.

"You were one of the best. Will miss you forever," wrote one friend.

Another said: "Will miss you gorgeous. Sleep tight."

Garda forensic experts spent the morning examining the scene.

The incident happened just a kilometre past Finn Harps football grounds at Finn Park and 300 metres from the Harley family home.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone who was travelling in the area who may have information about the incident to contact them at Ballybofey Garda Station on 074-9137740, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.

Online Editors