Relatives of some of the five eastern Europeans killed in a car crash in Donegal have paid tribute to the "support and generosity" of Irish people since last weekend's tragedy. Carl O'Brien reports from Liepaja, Latvia
The husband and brother of Marita Kerpe (38), a Latvian mother-of-two who was killed in the accident, were due to arrive into Ireland this morning as part of a visit funded and organised by local employers and authorities.
Ms Kerpe's mother, Rasma Rakstina (68), who has been looking after her daughter's two children in Latvia, Vivita (4) and Kristers (7), said yesterday she was deeply moved by the response of Irish people.
"The Irish people have been very helpful. The authorities and employer and the community in general have shown great support. They have paid for our family's stay in Donegal, they have paid for the flights, the accommodation. It means an awful lot," she said.
Marita Kerpe had been working at Farren's supermarket in Buncrana to support her two children in Trikata, a rural area in the northeast of Latvia about 130km from Riga. She had been planning to return home for a visit next week, according to her mother.
"She was really looking forward to seeing her children. When she called on the last occasion, she said 'I will be back on the 28th of February'. She had bought tickets on the internet. Now, her body will be coming back on the same day.
"Marita was sending money back to her husband, supporting us and paying the telephone bills made by her children. Now the children are left without help, without assistance. We are ruined. All we have is debt, poverty and broken hearts," said Mrs Kerpe, breaking into tears.
Ms Kerpe's husband Gatis and brother Janis Deduskevics are due to arrive to Ireland today and plan to visit the scene of the crash outside Buncrana. They also hope to attend a memorial service being organised by local clergy.
Last night, prior to his departure, Mr Kerpe said: "People have been very polite and very warm-hearted. We're extremely grateful to the local municipality,[ which is paying for the repatriation of his wife's remains] and her employer."
Ginta Veite (19), a student, and her mother Aija Porcika (38), who was working in an electronics facility in Buncrana, were among the five people killed in the crash. Ivars Veite (44), the father of Ginta and former husband of Aija, said he hoped to visit the site of the crash soon to erect a memorial to his loved ones.
"It is very important to go to the place where it happened. I want to leave a small sign or cross at the side of the road. I want to see how my dear ones lived, I want to feel the atmosphere of the area," said Mr Veite, a fish-seller based in the rural town of Priekule in Latvia's northwest.
His daughter had arrived at Dublin airport just hours before the crash and was planning to work for three months before resuming her studies in Riga.
"I last saw her six days ago when she said she wanted to see her grandmother before she went to Ireland. She was in high spirits. She had passed all her exams and had just one more do in a few months' time. I never considered that it would be the last time I would see her," Mr Veite said.
The funerals of the four Latvians and one Lithuanian killed in the crash are due to take place early next week.