Una Carlin-Bowden and her daughters Ciara and Saoirse had been visiting family in Raphoe before they lost their lives in a horrific road tragedy.
It’s understood the family were returning home from a visit to Una’s father John Carlin on Tuesday afternoon when their car was in a collision with an articulated lorry.
Una Bowden (47) and her daughters Ciara (14) and Saoirse (9) suffered fatal injuries in the incident on the N17.
Una is a native of Raphoe and a former student at the Royal and Prior Comprehensive School.
The family had lived in Moycullen, west of Galway city, for a number of years after buying a cottage there in 2019. They had since undertaken major renovation and extension work at the property, and finally moved in just last week. Una’s husband and the girls’ father David, who works for the UN, was working on a humanitarian project in Ethiopia when the tragedy happened. He was expected to arrive back in Ireland last night.
The Moycullen community gathered in mourning yesterday to offer prayers to the family at a service in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
The Bowdens were active in many sports throughout their community. Ciara was a pivotal member of Moycullen’s U14 squad and had been selected for the Galway Area Girls U14 basketball team.
A tribute from the Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn said: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone in Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn are with the family, friends, and teammates of the Bowden family. We cannot possibly fathom their grief but we send them our love and support. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam dílis.”
Incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris said that Tuesday was a “devastating day for the people of Mayo”.
In a message on social media, he said: “Thinking of the families and friends of the woman and two girls who have lost their lives in Castlegar and of Tom and Eileen Mahon, who died in a fire in Swinford. A dark day.
“I know the community will rally to support all those grieving.”
