The pier at Buncrana this morning. Pic by Northwest Newspix.
A major safety operation is to be mounted in Buncrana as thousands of people are expected to attend a vigil for those who died in last weekend’s drowning disaster.
Louise Daniels, who lost her two sons, sister, mother and partner in
the tragedy, is expected to attend the vigil at the shorefront outside the town tomorrow night (SUNDAY).
The vigil will start at 7pm – the exact time that her family’s Audi Q7
jeep rolled into the sea at Buncrana slipway on Sunday evening last.
A major Garda operation is being organised to police the event as
crowds of people are also expected to visit the pier at which the
tragedy happened.
Safety at the pier has already been upgraded with a safety barrier
being closed and extra signage being erected.
The slipway will be closed to those attending the vigil.
As well as Louise and her family, heroic Davitt Walsh who dived into
Lough Swilly to bravely save four month old Rionaghac-Ann from the
sinking jeep, is expected to attend.
Louise lost her partner Sean McGrotty (46), two sons Mark (12) and
Evan, eight, her mother Ruth Daniels (59) and sister Jodi-Lee, 14, in
the tragedy.
The rosary will be recited and a number of special prayers will be
said for those who perished as well as for Louise, Davitt and the
emergency services.
Local county councillor Rena Donaghey, who helped organise tonight’s
vigil, said people wanted a way to express their support for those
caught up in this darkest of chapters.
“People in Buncrana and Inishowen have very strong ties with our
neighbours in Derry and we want Louise and her family to known that we
are there for them and always will be.
“We also want to remember and pray for all those who risked their
lives including Davitt and the emergency services,” she said.
Local man Francis Crawford, who witnessed the tragedy, encouraged
people affected by the events in Buncrana to seek help.
