Funerals of three Donegal women killed travelling home from from holiday have taken place
The funeral masses of the three women killed in a Co Louth car crash last week have been held today.
The services for Margaret McGonagle, her daughter Mairead Mundy and family friend Rachel Battles were held in their home county of Donegal.
Hundreds of people attended the funerals in the small town of Bruckless.
Celebrant priest Fr James Sweeney saif it was a tragedy that has hit everyone in the area.
Speaking at the funeral mass of Rachel Battles this afternoon at the Church of Saint Joseph and Saint Conal, Bruckless, Co Donegal in the Diocese of Raphoe, Fr Sweeney said death was always difficult to deal with but such tragic deaths left everyone with a very acute pain.
"This sense of loss can almost be overwhelming and indeed very difficult for the human heart and mind to comprehend.
"Our parish community has rallied together over the last few days to support all the families involved. Albeit in sad circumstances, this sense of community spirit has brought the parish together helping to provide all the support and assistance we can humanly give.
Fr Sweeney went on: "This tragedy has devastated the community and a sense of shock permeates our parish as well as the entire country.
"This tragedy has reminded us of the goodness and kindness and generosity of this rural community here in south Donegal.
"We are today united in prayer for the deceased and continue to remember those injured in the accident."
The deaths of three Donegal women in a car crash has devastated their local community.
The funeral mass of Margaret McGonigle and her daughter Mairead Mundy has been taking place in the last hour.
The funeral of their close friend Rachel Battles will take place this afternoon.
The three women died after a car crash in Co Louth on Friday.
Parish priest in Bruckless Fr James Sweeney says it has been a huge blow to everyone who knew them.
"Death is always difficult to deal with but the death of two members of one family and a family friend leaves with us a very acute pain," he said.
"The sense of loss can almost be overwhelming and indeed very difficult for the human mind to comprehend.
"The community has rallied together over the last few days to support all the families involved. The sense of community spirit has brought the parish together helping to provide all the support and assistance we can humanly give.
"This tragedy has devastated the community and a sense of shock permeates the parish."
The funerals of three women who were tragically killed in a crash in Co Louth on Friday are taking place today.
The collision happened in Ardee in the early hours of Friday morning on the N2.
Thousands will mourn in the tiny picturesque village of Bruckless in Co Donegal, as the funerals of the three victims of the road tragedy in Ardee in Co Louth get underway later.
Margaret McGonigle, 69, and her 39-year-old daughter Mairead Mundy, along with their close friend Rachel Cassidy Battles are to be laid to rest today.
They had been travelling home from Dublin airport following a dream holiday in Turkey when they were involved in a three-car road traffic collision in Co Louth in the early hours of Friday morning.
Funeral Mass for Margaret McGonigle and Mairead Mundy gets underway at 11am at the Church of Saint Joseph and Saint Conal in Bruckless with the burial taking place in the adjoining cemetery.
While the funeral mass for Rachael Cassidy Battles will take place at 2:30pm, also at the Church of Saint Joseph and Saint Conal in Bruckless.
