Books of condolence open for victims of Buncrana pier tragedy

Books of condolence for the five victims of the Co Donegal pier tragedy have been opened in Buncrana and Derry city.

Sean McGrotty, his sons Mark (12) and Evan (8), together with their grandmother, Ruth Daniels and her daughter, Jodie Lee Daniels (14) died when Mr McGrotty's Audi Q7 slid off the slipway at Buncrana pier on Sunday evening.

Mr McGrotty's four-month-old daughter Rionaghac-Ann was the only survivor. She was handed by her father to Davitt Walsh who swam out to the sinking car and managed to save the child.

The mother of the children, Mr McGrotty's partner and daughter of Mrs Daniels, Louise James, was away for the weekend when the tragedy happened but has since returned home.

The five bodies were taken from O'Brien's Funeral Home in Eglinton at 11am on Tuesday and taken to the the couple's home at St Eithne's Park in Ballymagroarty.

The cortege was followed by dozens of cars belonging to family and friends.

People stood at the sides of the roads and bowed their heads as the hearses passed.

Members of the PSNI blocked roads as the cortege made its way over the Foyle Bridge.

The funerals of the five will be held together on Thursday afternoon in the Church of the Holy Family in Derry.

On Monday, Father Paddy O’Kane of the parish said it was difficult to find words at such a time, especially what to say to Louise.

In all of his ministry, he has never experienced a tragedy on such a scale, he told Highland Radio.

In Buncrana, a book of condolence in the town’s civic offices is being signed by local people.

The first message, from the chair of the Inishowen Municipal District, Fianna Fáil Councillor Rena Donaghey, said the "5 angels gone to heaven" were all in the community's thoughts and prayers.

The local credit union has opened an account for donations which will ultimately go to Louise and Rionaghac-Ann. The account is Buncrana credit union, number 23688.