The death in a road accident of young hairdresser Rebecca Browne was the second time her family has had their “hearts broken” in recent years, a Derry priest has said.
Fr Michael McCaughey from the Parish of the Three Patrons, said Ms Browne’s family were still trying to come to terms with the death during the pandemic of her grandmother Linda.
Ms Browne (21) died when she was struck by a passing Garda patrol car at Ludden on the outskirts of Buncrana around 3.15am on Sunday. From Galliagh in Derry, she had travelled to Derry with a cousin for the evening and was returning to a caravan park from a wedding evening reception when the tragedy occurred.
Full details of the accident have not yet been released as the tragedy is being investigated by the Garda Ombudsman who is automatically called in to examine any road death involving gardaí.
A hairdresser at Sage Hair and Beauty in Derry’s Waterside, Ms Browne was described as passionate, loving and talented by her work colleague Ashleigh Coyle. The salon is to remain closed throughout this week as a mark of respect.
Fr McCaughey said he was greeted by a “stunned silence” when he visited the family home that Ms Browne shared with her mother and father, Lynn and Gerry and her younger brother, Ethan. He said Ms Browne’s mother told him the family were still dealing with the death during the pandemic of her own mother.
“She said she had now lost two special people, her own mother during the pandemic and now her daughter,” he said.
He said Ms Browne’s family described her as the life and soul of the party.
SDLP councillor Brian Tierney is a neighbour and friend of the family. Mr Tierney said the tragedy has “touched the entire community in Galliagh”.
Mr Tierney said: “Rebecca was a lovely young woman; she was bubbly, outgoing and popular and the heart and soul of her family. I visited them today (Monday) to let them know we are all thinking of them after their tragic loss.”
Buncrana Fianna Fáil councillor, Rena Donaghy said the tragedy had “deeply affected” the people of the town. Ms Donaghy said there was a shared community between Buncrana and Derry.
“Our hearts go out to Rebecca’s family and everyone impacted by her death,” she said.
