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Donations for pier tragedy widow
top 50,000 euro
23.03.16
CASH donations are
pouring in from around the world to help the young
woman who lost five family members in a devastating
drowning accident in Buncrana.
More than 50,000 euro has been raised in the last
48-hours to help Louise McGrotty (35) who will bury
her husband, her two young sons, her mother and
little sister on Thursday. All five died on Sunday
in a tragedy so immense that many experienced
emergency responders and clergy in the North West
said it was the worst they had ever encountered.
Those who died were Sean McGrotty (46); his sons
Mark (12) and Evan (8); his mother-in-law, Ruth
Daniels (59) and her daughter Jodie-Lee Daniels
(14).
The accident happened following a daytrip to the
seaside when Mr McGrotty's Audi 4x4 got into
difficulty on the slipway of Buncrana Pier.
The large black vehicle is reported to have been
quickly pulled out to sea by the force of the tidal
waters at the slipway at evening high tide.
Within minutes all five victims had drowned,
eyewitnesses report.
Sean and Louise's youngest child, four-month old
baby girl, Rioghnach-Ann, was heroically saved by
the actions of a passer-by.
Kerrykeel footballer Davitt Walsh (29) bravely swam
out to the stricken family as their SUV became
submerged in the water.
Mr Walsh recalled yesterday how Mr McGrotty handed
him the infant and might have saved himself but
courageously returned inside the vehicle in a vain
bid to help the rest of his family. |
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Pier tragedy: Clockwise, Sean
McGrotty, Ruth Daniels, Mark and Evan McGrotty, and
Jodie Lee Daniels. |
At least three online
crowd-funding pages have been set up to help Ms
McGrotty and others family members bereaved by the
tragedy.
Local fundraisers are also underway.
Derry-based Martin McGranaghan launched a JustGiving
page on Monday saying financial worries should be
"the last thing on (the) minds" of the bereaved
families.
His initial £5,000 Sterling target was surpassed
within hours and now stands at almost £30,000
(almost 38,000 euro) with donations continuing to
clock up.
"Totally overwhelmed at the level of support
everyone has showed to the Daniel, James and
McGrotty (families). They are overwhelmed by the
support they are being given at (this) heartbreaking
time. Please keep them in your thoughts," he posted
on the charity page.
One woman called Laura donated £20 with the words:
"Dear Louise, I wish I could do more for you. Please
stay strong and try to find love and happiness in
your life through your wonderful daughter. Some day
you will. Sincerely sorry for your loss."
Meanwhile, a JustGiving page set up by young
Buncrana mum Michelle Black now stands at £11,000
(almost 14,000 euro). Michelle has also opened a
Buncrana Credit Union account to help the affected
families.
"There (are) no words we can say or anything we can
do to change what happened. But what we can do is
help show our support to the family of the victims,"
said Ms Black.
Funerals for the five victims will take place at
Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty on Thursday. For
obituary notice click here
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