Locals in the Galway village of Moycullen have expressed shock at the tragic deaths of Donegal-native Una Bowden and her two daughters.
Una (47), née Carlin from Raphoe, and her daughters Ciara (14) and Saoirse (9) died when their car was involved in a collision with an articulated fuel truck on the N17 outside Claremorris, Co Mayo on Tuesday. It is believed they were returning from visiting Una’s father, John Carlin, in Donegal when the accident occurred.
Una and David Bowden arrived from Africa to live in Moycullen a few years ago with their daughters, the Irish Times reports. They had no ties to the area – David is from Zambia – but they quickly immersed themselves in local life – in the camogie club, Irish dancing, basketball and rugby in nearby Oughterard.
They got involved in local groups, volunteered for jobs and made a huge contribution in a short length of time to the Co Galway community where they had settled.
“Is it any wonder then why everyone is so shocked and saddened by what has happened,” said parish priest Fr Martin Whelan.
He was coming out of Scoil Naomh Bríde in Tullokyne, one of four national schools in Moycullen.
The children are on Easter holidays, but the school opened on Thursday for pupils and parents, neighbours and friends, to meet and comfort each other.
Saoirse (9) was in third class in the school. Her older sister Ciara (14) was in Salerno Secondary School in Salthill, having attended Scoil Mhuire in Moycullen, after the family rented a house there while they bought and renovated a cottage a few kilometres away close to Lough Corrib.
Brian MacLochlainn, the principal of the three-teacher school, said the area was numbed by the tragic deaths.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of three members of our school community,” said Mr Maclochlainn in a statement issued by the school. “Saoirse was a third-class student and was an incredibly joyful, talented young girl with an infectious enthusiasm and wit that couldn’t help but be a positive influence on everyone she met. She was an incredibly well-loved character in our small school community and we are completely devastated by her loss.
“Ciara didn’t attend school here but we got to know her over the years as the kind and caring older sister. Una was a brilliant mother. She cared so wonderfully for her family and was a brilliant support to the school in every way possible. We are heartbroken by the loss of three amazing people.”
Funeral arrangements have not been made.
Read the full report on www.irishtimes.com
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