‘We are just numb’ - Donegal Councillor after father and two children lose lives in tragedy

A Donegal Councillor has said the community in Moville is numb with shock following the tragic deaths of a local man and two children.
By Brendan McDaid
Published 21st Aug 2020, 09:47 BST
Updated 21st Aug 2020, 17:38 BST
21/08/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Emergency services at the scene of tragic accident on the road between Muff and Quigleys Point in North East Donegal, it is believed a man and two children have died after the car they were travelling in entered the water at the roadside. Fire service from Derry and Donegal, HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R199 from Prestwick in Scotland and Garda attended the scene.Picture Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia21/08/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Emergency services at the scene of tragic accident on the road between Muff and Quigleys Point in North East Donegal, it is believed a man and two children have died after the car they were travelling in entered the water at the roadside. Fire service from Derry and Donegal, HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R199 from Prestwick in Scotland and Garda attended the scene.Picture Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
21/08/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Emergency services at the scene of tragic accident on the road between Muff and Quigleys Point in North East Donegal, it is believed a man and two children have died after the car they were travelling in entered the water at the roadside. Fire service from Derry and Donegal, HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R199 from Prestwick in Scotland and Garda attended the scene.Picture Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

Councillor Martin Farren knows the family well and grew up with the father, and said he, like the rest of the town in northern Inishowen, were in shock this morning and trying to come to terms with what has unfolded.

Colr. Farren said everyone’s thoughts are with the local woman who was rescued and is currently being treated at Letterkenny General Hospital, and the wider family.

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The man aged (49), a 14-year-old boy and six-year-old girl died after their car they were in entered the water at Quigley’s Point late on Thursday night.

The car was travelling from Muff towards Quigley’s Point when the driver lost control and the vehicle skidded across the road and down the embankment and plunged into the waters of Lough Foyle.

Colr. Farren said: “The whole community is just absolutely numbed by it. They are very well known and respected members of our community. They are lovely people, you couldn’t have met nicer.

“It’s hard to put into words, it’s just devastating. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very, very sad time.”

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Gardai said this morning that the woman, who is 45, and the two children managed to escape the vehicle but both children did not survive. The mother was rescued and taken ashore by emergency services.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene and the front female passenger was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with non life threatening injuries. The bodies of the two males and one female were subsequently taken from the water and removed to Letterkenny University Hospital Mortuary, where post mortems will take place in due course.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was travelling on the road from Muff towards Quigley’s Point between 10p.m. and 10.30p.m. last night, 20th August, 2020 or anyone who was may have had sighting of a Black Mitsubishi ASX registration number, 11 DL 1566 in the area, particularly any road users with dash cam footage, to contact Buncrana Garda Station on (0035374) 9320540, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Related topics:Inishowen