The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, last night met members of the families who lost their lives in the Buncrana pier tragedy.
Archbishop Martin, who is from Derry, travelled to the city to meet Louise James, mother of Mark and Evan, who died with their father, Seán McGrotty, along with Ms James’s sister Jodie-Lee, and their mother Ruth Daniels, last Sunday evening.
The archbishop also went to the church where the funerals will take place today, to sign the book of condolence.
As he set out for Derry, Archbishop Martin said: “The enormous tragedy that has struck this family has stunned us all into silence. What can we say? All we can offer is our spiritual presence with them and the promise of our prayers.
“People from all over Ireland and beyond want to be close to all the bereaved in this time of grief and desolation.”
An online campaign that sought £5,000 for the surviving members of the families bereaved by the Buncrana pier tragedy had raised £34,716 by 5pm yesterday.
Appeal
Martin McGranaghan of Derry used the Just Giving crowdfunding websiteto launch his appeal on Tuesday, initially anxious at setting a target of £5,000.
Yesterday, he told the Derry Journal he reached the target within a few hours of opening the appeal. "There have been a lot of support from here, and even from Australia and America."
The funerals take place this afternoon in the Church of the Holy Family in Ballymagroarty.
It is expected to be attended by family and friends of the deceased from the city and Donegal, senior Northern Ireland politicians, and senior political and religious figures from Derry.
Rionaghac-Ann, Mr McGrotty’s and Ms James’s four-month-old daughter, was rescued from the car by passerby Davitt Walsh.
Mr Walsh said yesterday he would attend the funeral with his girlfriend Stephanie Knox with whom he had been walking on Sunday night when he saw the sinking vehicle.
“I’m feeling very anxious, afraid, nervous and upset,” he said.
“There are just so many emotions. I’m afraid in case I break down after seeing the coffins or the families knowing I could have maybe done more.
Difficult
“It’s going to be the most difficult thing we have done in our lives but it may give myself and Stephanie some closure on the events that unfolded on Sunday.”
A number of choirs including St Joseph’s School Choir, St Mary’s Choir and St Eithne’s School Choir as well as St Joseph’s Traditional Group will perform at the funeral.
A special poem which was written in honour of Ms James will also be read out. The family have agreed to allow the media to cover the funeral and a special area has been set out for the press.
The burials will take place at the city cemetery, with Mr McGrotty and his two sons being buried in one plot, and Ms Daniels and her daughter in the next plot. Donations can be made at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/ Buncranatragedy
