BABY LISA Gallagher, who was killed by a car reversing outside her home, will be buried today in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
Gardaí have described as “a terrible accident” her death when her 34-year-old father Adrian reversed the car around the side of the house, unaware the 13-month-old child, who only started walking two weeks ago, was in the garden.
Lisa’s grandfather, Paddy Maguire, yesterday told how he was playing with the girl at her home at Drumerdagh, Letterkenny, less than a half-hour before she was struck by the car on Friday evening.
Mr Maguire said he and his wife Dorothy left the home of their daughter Carmel, who is expecting her third child this month with her husband Adrian, to return to their own house.
“When we got word what happened it was unbelievable,” he said. “We baby-sat her every day. She loved being with her gran.
“She was a wee angel. It’s a terrible loss for us, but nothing compared with the loss Lisa’s parents have to deal with.
“You never think something so awful will happen your own family.”
The incident happened when Lisa’s father, a computer operator with a local company, went to move his car on his own property at the side of the house.
Neighbours said Mr Gallagher reversed the car but was unaware the child suddenly re-entered the yard.
Prayers were said at Masses throughout the weekend for Lisa’s family. The administrator at St Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, Fr Eamon Kelly, said the event affected the entire community.
“All we can do is rally around the family and friends affected and pray, comfort and talk to them, to help them get through this as best they can,” he said.
Lisa’s removal took place from the Chapel of Rest, Letterkenny General Hospital, after a postmortem on Saturday afternoon.
Her remains were brought to her home prior to burial today at Conwall Cemetery after Mass in St Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny.
Gardaí confirmed the incident happened after 7.30pm on Friday evening when a male relative reversed the car over the child.
Sgt Michael Galvin said: “It’s a dreadful tragedy.”