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Tributes paid to 'kind and caring' teen who died in motorsport crash

McEgan College A framed photograph of Lauren who is wearing a navy school jumper and has a grey shirt collar. She has very long brown hair in a ponytail that is coming over her shoulder. McEgan College
She was participating in a heat of an official Cork Autograss Racing Club event

Tributes have been paid to a 13-year-old girl who died following a crash at a motorsport event in the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

Lauren O'Brien was taking part in a qualifying heat for a Cork Autograss Racing Club event when the vehicle she was driving crashed.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to An Garda Síochána (Irish police).

It happened at Enniskeane, County Cork, at about 15:30 local time.

McEgan College described Lauren as a "beautiful girl, inside and out, bubbly, fun loving, kind, caring, a loveable rogue".

A statement posted on social media said she will be missed "dearly" by her classmates, friends and teachers.

The statement said psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service would be at the school to provide support.

In a social media post, Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan said: "Lauren's passion for motorsport and her bright spirit will never be forgotten."

Gardaí said investigations into the crash are ongoing.

They have appealed for information.