Ireland

Man in his 80s dies after car enters water at Buncrana pier

Councillor says pier death ‘evokes memories’ of previous tragedy

The scene at the pier area in Buncrana Co-Donegal where a car was discovered in the water on Sunday morning. The body of an elderly man was recovered from the car after it was taken from the Swilly. A Gardai investigation took place at the scene. Five members of the one family from Derry died at the Buncrana pier area in 2016. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 19-5-2024
The scene at the pier area in Buncrana, Co Donegal where a car was discovered in the water on Sunday morning. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLUAGHLIN (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
By Paul Ainsworth

A Co Donegal community is in shock after a man in his 80s died when his car entered the water at a Donegal pier where five members of the same family died eight years ago.

The tragedy at Buncrana pier in Inishowen happened on Sunday morning after an alert was raised around 7.30am.

Emergency services including the NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) from Derry arrived at the scene and the car was recovered from the water following a multi-agency rescue operation.

The victim has been named locally as Paddy McMenamin from the Buncrana area.

“The body of a man was found inside the vehicle,” a gardaí spokesperson said, adding that a file will be prepared for the Coroner’s Court “in due course”.

The scene at the pier area in Buncrana Co-Donegal where a car was discovered in the water on Sunday morning. The body of an elderly man was recovered from the car after it was taken from the Swilly. A Gardai investigation took place at the scene. Five members of the one family from Derry died at the Buncrana pier area in 2016. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 19-5-2024
Buncrana pier enters Lough Swilly. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )

“Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to contact them, the spokesperson said, and urged anyone who was travelling in the Swilly Road area between 6.30am and 7.30am, or in the vicinity of the pier, to contact gardaí.

A spokesperson for the NIFRS confirmed their firefighters attended the scene in a support capacity.

Part of the Swilly Road area remained closed on Sunday.

The incident happened at the same pier where five members of a family died when their car entered the water in March 2016.

Sean McGrotty (49), his sons Mark (12) and Evan (8), his partner’s mother Ruth Daniels (57) and her daughter, Jodie Lee (14), drowned when their car slid int the water from the pier slipway.

Rionaghac-Ann, the infant daughter of Mr McGrotty and partner Louise James, survived after he handed the four-month-old baby to a man who swam out to the car in a rescue attempt.

From left, Buncrana pier victims Mark (12) and Evan McGrotty (8), Sean McGrotty (49), Ruth Daniels (57) and Jodie Lee Daniels (14)
From left, Buncrana pier victims Mark (12) and Evan McGrotty (8), Sean McGrotty (49), Ruth Daniels (57) and Jodie Lee Daniels (14).

An inquest in 2017 found the five drowned due to misadventure.

Sunday’s incident “evokes memories” of the 2016 tragedy at the pier, a councillor told the Irish News.

Sinn Féin’s Jack Murray, who represents Inishowen on Donegal County Council, said: “Buncrana and the wider community in Inishowen is shocked and saddened to hear of another death at the pier.

“Another family will be grieving and our hearts go out to them at what will be an incredibly difficult time.

“This terrible incident of course evokes memories of the previous tragedy in the area and the utter devastation that caused.

“As always, the Buncrana and Inishowen community will rally to support this man’s loved ones, as we have in the past.”

The pier was also the scene of the death of social worker Cyd Mailey in 1985. The sister of singer Phil Coulter, Ms Mailey had been trying to help a man when he drove them off the pier, killing them both.