‘Heaven has gained three new angels’ - Geraldine Mullan in poignant tribute to her husband and children

In a poignant eulogy paying tribute to her family during their Requiem Mass on Monday at St Pius X Church, Moville, Mrs Mullan urged everyone to ‘kiss and hug’ their loved ones, as life can change completely in a second’.

Six-year-old Amelia, she lovingly told, was a ‘rascal’, who loved to dance and teach her parents Tik Tok dances.

She also ‘gave the best hugs and kisses’ and will forever be ‘Mammy’s girl.’

Mrs Mullan told how she and her daughter had ‘mammy and daughter’ time on a Sunday, a time she will now always cherish.

Tomás, she added, was ‘Mammy’s best boy from day one.’

He got her through ‘dark days’ at the beginning and at 14-years-old, had grown into a ‘handsome, strong,’ young man, who gave her so much pride and joy.

She told how she will, forever more, picture events and milestones her children will never get to see, such as Amelia in her First Communion dress and Tomás doing his Leaving Certificate.

“I was privileged and honoured to be Tomás and Amelia’s mum. I’m just sorry I didn’t get to be their mum for longer. They’ll be forever my darling babies in my heart.”

John, she added, was a hard worker and a true family man and the ‘super best daddy.’

They met when she cared for his mother, something she is ‘eternally grateful’ for.

Mourners heard how he was the ‘love of her life,’ her rock, best friend and soulmate.

“ You showed me what true love was all about. You got my heart healed and showed me what it was like to fall in love and be loved.

“I had ten precious years with you. I thought I was going to grow old with you, darling. You used to say the best is yet to come, but Thursday night cut that time short. I am eternally grateful, sweetheart, for everything you did for me,for our family.”

Mrs Mullan told how John’s 50th birthday is in two weeks’ time and she and the children had organised 50 presents, which are hidden around the house.

She said that while she cannot now give them to him, she will go to Ballybrack, where he is laid to rest, and will sing Happy Birthday to him.

“You were the love of my life. You always will be. My heart is broken and it’s never going to heal. But that’s ok, because I have you, Tomás and Amelia in my heart and you’ll always stay there. I look forward to the day I get you to put your arms around me, because in your arms is where I felt safest and most loved, darling, For now, it’s just goodbye.”

She asked her husband to ‘look after our two darlings,’ and also look after her.

“Heaven has definitely gained three angels.”

Geraldine bravely told how, that in the dark weeks and months ahead that she will have to endure, she knows she will ‘get a sign or a gentle nudge and I know all three of you will be looking after me”.

The family was travelling back home to Moville from Derry on Thursday when tragedy struck.

John was a ‘safe driver,’ but ‘everything was against’ them on the night, including inclement weather, a high tide and a slippery road surface.

“There are no words and no answers,” said Mrs Mullan.

She recalled how she had been in the water for the best part of an hour and had given up hope.

“I had screamed and roared and called all your names until I knew all three had already gone. Waves were hitting me and tumbling me and all of a sudden I saw a light and Conor McDaid.”

Mr McDaid raised the alarm and many tributes were paid to him and the emergency services who were on the scene. Mrs Mullan thanked those who had found her family in the water, which meant she could take them home, as well as all those on the scene on the night, including Gardai, the Coastguard, Fire Service and paramedics, her colleagues and the local community for its support.

“It’s true what they say - in a second, your life changes completely and on 20 August 2020 at 9.30pm, while we were supposed to be coming home and planning our next few days together, my life irrevocably changed for the worst.’

In her time of loss, Geraldine was once again thinking of others, and urged everyone to hug and cherish their loved ones. “I ask each and every one of you to kiss and hug your loved ones dearly and tell your loved ones you love them. I have no-one to kiss and hug and I’ve no-one to tell ‘I love you’ to anymore, because the three most important people in my life are gone.

“So, cherish each day as if it were your last, because last Thursday was the last day I got to spend with my beloved family.”

Poignantly, Geraldine addressed John and her ‘TT and Amelia,’ telling them how much she loved them.

“John, TT and Amelia, I love each and every one of you to the moon, stars and back again, to infinity and beyond, plus 100. That love will never end and I will see you soon.”