Tragic Cork autocross racer Lauren O’Brien (13) grew up ‘steeped in motor sports’ and was an ‘extra-special’ pupil

Lauren O’Brien (13) is understood to have only started competing in the sport in the junior class in recent times and was loving it.

The sport involves driving modified cars around a loose-surfaced track.

Lauren was pronounced dead at the scene after a collision during the heat stages at the Cork Autograss circuit in Castletown-Kinneigh near Enniskeane in west Cork at around 3.30pm on ­Sunday.

The event was being staged by the Cork Autograss Racing Club.

Lauren lived in the townland of Tarleton in west Cork with her parents, older brother and younger sister.

She was a first-year pupil at McEgan College in Macroom, which opened its doors yesterday for Lauren’s classmates and their parents if they felt they needed support.

School principal, Trish Lynam, and deputy principal, Hugh Coughlan, said around 40 pupils made their way to the school to gather and share their thoughts and memories.

Photographs of Lauren were placed on tables in the entrance to the school along with a book of condolences.

“Lauren grew up with the sport. It’s her family’s sport, and this was her second race seemingly. She had done well in her first one and was buzzing after it. It’s tragic,” Ms Lynam said. “Her parents actually met through motor racing.

“They were married last November and Lauren came into the two of us showing us she was bridesmaid for her mam and dad, and she was so proud in her dress, and her hair and nails were done.

“Lauren was great, she was calm and relaxed and confident. She came from a lovely place.

“She was like an adult rather than a child, and full of life,” Mr Coughlan said.

“We’ve a special unit here, with moderate general learning kids, and she was so kind and nice to them. She was only here since September, but everybody knew her.

“She has a brother in second year and they are popular kids. He’s into the cars too, and football, they’re very competitive kids,” Ms Lynam said.

“Lauren’s vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered

“She was fierce popular in the classroom. When we do the primary school visits each year preparing new students, and Lauren was only three or four weeks in the school and she was asked to do the visits with us because she stood out as having that extra-special quality,” she added.

News of Lauren’s death reached the school on Sunday through teachers in the community, and connections with marshals at the event.

The 280-pupil school is now preparing for a tough week when the Department of Education will organise members of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) to be on hand to assist pupils, parents and staff.

It is understood that Lauren’s family want the school to be involved in her funeral mass, and form a guard of honour for Lauren as well as perform music in the church.

Yesterday, the school posted a photograph of Lauren on its social media pages and paid tribute to her.

“Friends, it is quiet in McEgan College today. The devastating news reached us yesterday afternoon that following a tragic accident, first-year student Lauren O’Brien had passed away.

“Lauren was a beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun-loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue.

“Lauren’s vivacious spirit and the ever-present twinkle in her eye will be fondly remembered for ever by all at McEgan College.

“She will be missed dearly by her classmates, friends and teachers and our entire school community.”

The school extended deepest sympathies to her family, including her parents Therese and Timmy, and Lauren’s brother and sister.

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Sinn Féin senator Nicole Ryan also posted a tribute, saying that “Lauren’s passion for motor sport and her bright spirit will never be forgotten”.

Garda forensic collision investigators worked at the scene of the crash at Cork Autograss yesterday morning and into the afternoon.

Shortly after 5pm, the first of two damaged cars were removed from the scene by a recovery truck and taken away for further examination. The second car was removed later before the scene was opened up again. Locals brought flowers to the remote scene where an oval-shaped dirt track circles the Castletown Celtic pitch.

Then, at around 7.30pm, a vigil was held at the scene attended by members of the close-knit community and members of the motor-sport clubs in the area.