The annual graduation ceremonies at Letterkenny Institute of Technology in Donegal yesterday were tinged with sadness when one of the five victims of last Saturday's car crash was awarded her degree posthumously.
Charlene O'Connor (21), Straboe, Buncrana, should have received a Bachelor of Business (Honours) degree from the college, but instead her sister, Aisling, collected her parchment from LYIT director Paul Hannigan.
Charlene died with her boyfriend, Gavin Duffy (21), and their three friends, Rochelle Peoples (22), Darren Quinn (21 ) and David Steele (23 ), when their car was in collision with a people-carrier at 3.30am at Cross, near Quigley's Point.
Charlene's parents, James and Roseleen, attended the ceremony because they were well aware of how much their daughter had been looking forward to what should have been a memorable family day. Charlene had planned to become a teacher and had been studying Irish in the evenings to complement her degree qualification.
A moment's silence preceded all three graduation ceremonies of the day in her honour. Mr Hannigan, addressing the graduates, recalled how Charlene had been part of the 2,500-strong community of students and staff at the Letterkenny campus.
Her brother, William, gradu-
ated in the evening ceremony with a Higher Certificate in Science of Construction.
Mrs Roseleen O'Connor said Charlene had "worked very hard for her award, and we felt it was only right and proper that we should be here to receive it on her behalf."