The Kent driver is out of the Dick Bailey Stages Rally after rolling his Clio on Special Stage 4 from Arnestown to Knockmullin.

Carey was third in the overall championship standings, and going into this race, was leading the clubman's category.

There were no injuries as a result of this crash, but all those running after Carey were all given the same time for the stage in case of delays.

Royston isn't the only man to have bowed out of the event - Francis Corrigan has gone in a minor crash, while Willie Carroll has broken down and is also left twiddling his thumbs for the weekend.

Meath's Tom Holton was lying fourth in his Celica after Special Stage 1, but reckons he's dropped back to sixth due to a wrong pace note.

His ever-smiling navigator Ron Guha commented thus on his team's problem: "It's a long weekend, we'll get it back and you can quote me on that!"

Eamonn Boland leads by a minute at service following the first traversal of four stages, with John Price, Steve Hendy and Bob Fowden all in close pursuit.