Ciara laid to rest in Connemara 15.10.07

THE REMAINS of US soldier Ciara Durkin who considered Buncrana a home from home as a teen have been laid to rest. Ciara's ashes were buried in her native Connemara alongside her late father Tommy. Her remaining ashes will be buried a future date at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC - a dedicated US Army burial ground.

A large crowd including sister Aine from Buncrana, attended the poignant ceremony in Eanach Mheain. The 30 year old died in mysterious circumstances while on duty with her unit in Afghanistan. An investigation by the US military is now underway amid family testimony that, while home on leave, Ciara said she saw "something she didn't like". She asked her family to demand a full investigation if anything happened to her. Full military honours were rendered at her funeral Mass in Boston last week where
her mother Angela and siblings led the mourners. Ciara's strong connection with Buncrana goes back many years. She stayed with her sister Aine many summers during her holidays from school and worked in McGinley's post office on the main street. Her brother Pierce told the congregation in Connemara: "She made every day a little brighter. She was selfless to a cause. Our happiness was her happiness."
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