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Eight death horror crash probe
concludes
07.07.11
Priest to hold car
blessing ceremony
by Linda McGrory
A FILE was sent to the Director of Public
Prosecutions last month in relation to a horrific
crash that tragically killed eight men in Inishowen
a year ago.
The two-car collision, the worst single road
accident on record in Ireland, happened at
Glasmullen, Clonmany, at 10.40pm on Sunday, July 11,
2010.
Eight young men were travelling in one of the cars,
a VW Passat. Just one survived. A pensioner driving
home alone from the parish bingo was also killed.
Superintendent Kevin English of Buncrana garda
station yesterday confirmed that the garda
investigation had concluded and a file had been
forwarded to the DPP.
He declined to comment further on the investigation
at the request of the victims' families.
"A full garda investigation file was forwarded to
the Director of Public Prosecutions at the end of
June and we are awaiting his directions on the
matter," said Supt English. |
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The friends who died
were Mark McLaughlin (21) of Ballinahone, Fahan;
Paul Doherty (19), of Ardagh, Ballyliffin; Ciaran
Sweeney (19), of Ballyliffin; PJ McLaughlin (21), of
Rockstown, Burnfoot; James McEleney (23), of
Minaduff, Clonmany; Eamon McDaid (22), of Ballymagan,
Buncrana and Damien McLaughlin (21), of Umricam,
Buncrana.
Hughie Friel, 66, who was driving home to Dunaff,
Urris, from the bingo in Buncrana in his Toyota, was
also killed. The driver of the Passat, a 23 year old
man from the Buncrana area, was the sole survivor of
the accident.
The affected communities of Buncrana, Fahan,
Burnfoot, Clonmany and Ballyliffin are bracing
themselves for the one-year anniversary on Monday.
It is understood that no single commemoration has
been planned with the victims' families instead
arranging individual anniversary masses for their
loved ones.
Buncrana parish priest, Fr John Walsh, said the area
was very conscious of the approaching anniversary.
"We would be very conscious of the anniversary and
we know the pain of the relatives of those involved.
It will be a painful time particularly for parents
who will never really get over tragedies like that."
Fr Walsh also announced plans to hold a car blessing
ceremony later this month to coincide with the feast
of St Christopher, the patron saint of travel.
The unique Sunday service will be styled on the
annual blessing of the graves and drivers wishing to
have their cars blessed in the church car park on
the day, would be invited to commit themselves to
driving safely.
"Presumably, if people want their cars blessed
they'll also want to stay safe and do nothing that
would contribute to carnage on the roads," he said. |
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