A YEAR on from the shock pre-event testing accident that claimed the life of Craig Breen, the people of Ireland and Croatia have “become closer”, according to one senior Croatia Rally representative.
Over the weekend, a new monument was officially unveiled by the Croatia Rally Organising Committee President at the very spot where the talented World Rally Championship competitor lost his life on April 13.
Constructed from marble and engraved with the words ‘#42 In loving memory of Craig Breen 1990 – 2023’, it took only five months to turn the idea into a reality.
The monument is surrounded by a handful of Irish tricolours and tributes that have been left behind by fans who have visited the spot to pay their respects.
Croatia Rally President Daniel Šaškin and fellow event representatives were accompanied to the ceremony on Saturday by ASN President Robert Markt and Ljubica Jembrih, head of the municipality of Labor.
Although neither Breen’s dad Ray nor mum Jackie was able to attend due to an anniversary mass, Šaškin confirmed that both they and the 33-year-old’s wider family circle supported the monument.
“It is our duty to remember Craig. That is why we gathered for the commemoration and monument unveiling,” Šaškin said.
“Fellow Irish and Croatian people have become closer after this tragedy.
“I have been in contact with Craig’s family this week and I have once again expressed our deepest sympathies to them one year on,” he added.
“We will not allow the memory of Craig to fade away.”
A follow-up investigation into the incident by Croatian authorities concluded Breen had lost control of his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 in “slippery conditions” as he negotiated a right turn on a section of country road close to Stari Golubovan and Lobora near the neighbouring town of Zlatar.
While navigator James Fulton escaped the shunt unharmed, Breen’s death was “instantaneous” after contact with a fence resulted in one of the posts entering the cabin through his side window.
The events sent shockwaves through the world of motorsport, with many drivers paying their own touching tributes to Breen who achieved nine top-flight podium finishes in his career with Citroen, Racing, M-Sport Ford and Hyundai. His final top-three result came on last season’s Rally Sweden.