Northern Ireland

Buncrana tragedy: Horror end to ordinary day touches family everywhere

HEARTBREAKING: Family and friends gather at the scene of the tragedy in Buncrana yesterday.  	    Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
HEARTBREAKING: Family and friends gather at the scene of the tragedy in Buncrana yesterday. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin HEARTBREAKING: Family and friends gather at the scene of the tragedy in Buncrana yesterday. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin

Sean McGrotty had been treating his family to a day out just like countless others last weekend.

With his partner Louise away on a hen weekend, he took his in-laws across the border to Donegal to make the most of a sunny Sunday.

They had a meal, and his beloved boys wanted to play at an adventure playground in Buncrana.

He then took them to the pier to round off the day.

They are scenes that families everywhere can relate to.

Buncrana has long been a favourite destination for Derry people on days out and holidays.

In making the half-hour trip from Ballymagroarty, close to the border, Sean McGrotty was merely doing what parents in the city have done for generations.

The fact that such an ordinary day could end in such appalling tragedy has sent shock waves across the north west.

Following the horror of Sunday night, there was a calm around Buncrana pier yesterday.

The only indications of the McGrottys' devastating loss were the Garda and huge media presence.

However, as the morning wore on, local people reclaimed the scene, leaving flowers on the pier. By early afternoon, there was a steady stream of visitors, many overcome with grief.

That feeling of sadness was summed up by the McGrotty family’s priest, Fr Paddy O’Kane.

He said it was simply “the worst thing” he had ever experienced.

“I am 43 years a priest and nothing compares to this. This is way beyond anything in my wildest imagination,” he said.

Just weeks ago, he presided over a joyful McGrotty/Daniels occasion as he baptised baby Rionagh-Ann, the only survivor.

At the start of this month, eight-year-old Evan also made his first confession and was preparing for his First Holy Communion in May.

After visiting the home of Louise McGrotty in St Eithne's Park in Ballymagroarty, Fr O'Kane said "words fail me to describe the depth of pain and the vastness of this tragedy".

"When I went up there this morning people were just standing around - men were just standing looking at the ground not knowing what to say.

"All you can do is just shake their hand and say 'I'm sorry'. A respectful silence is all I could muster.

"Before I left the house I said the Lord's Prayer with everyone to give Louise and her family strength."