A mother whose husband and children were killed in a drowning tragedy on Lough Foyle last year has marked the first anniversary of their deaths with a promise to her family to keep going.
Geraldine Mullan’s husband, John, son Tomás (14), and six-year-old daughter Amelia drowned when their car skidded into Lough Foyle as they were returning to their home in Moville in Co Donegal from a day out in Derry on August 20, 2020.
A nurse at Letterkenny University Hospital, Mrs Mullan survived the tragedy when she managed to scramble onto the top of the car.
Earlier this year, she opened a 'Hope Centre' at the garden centre business in Moville which her husband owned. The facility operates as a well-being centre for community groups and other events.
In an emotional online post, Mrs Mullan said she had precious memories of the day out last year which ended in tragedy.
She said the memories were her last as a “family of four”.
“I sit at my kitchen table by myself with tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart," she wrote.
"I would give anything to see my beloved John, Tomás and Amelia walk through the door full of smiles, laughter and joy but that is not possible.
“I look at our photos and I’m transported back in time where I can see their smiles; I can hear their laughs; I can feel their hugs and kisses and I can hear their voices."
She promised her family she would live for all of them.
“I am heartbroken beyond words and on those days when I don’t want to get up and put one foot in front of the other, I will close my eyes and I will hear your soft voice Amelia saying ‘C’mon Mummy, you can do this’, Tomás telling me ‘It’s just another day mum, please keep going’ and you sweetheart, John, whispering in my ear ‘My brave Galway girl, we all got you, we will be right by your side, so get up, get dressed, keep smiling, keep going and stay strong’ and I will listen to you all and keep going,” she wrote.
Anniversary Mass was celebrated in Moville last night.
A memorial bench at Lafferty’s Lane in Moville will be unveiled at 1pm today while “memory notes” and Chinese lanterns will be released at the spot at 8pm tomorrow.
A “Hope Day” at the Hope Centre tomorrow will feature stalls, music and food along with colouring competitions, storytelling, sunflower painting classes and other events.
