Una Bowden and beloved daughters to be laid to rest in Donegal

The funeral of tragic road traffic victims Una Bowden and her two daughters, Ciara and Saoirse, will take place in Donegal on Wednesday.

Una, a 47-year-old and a native of Raphoe, and her daughters, 14-year-old Ciara and nine-year-old Saoirse, were killed in a horror crash in Mayo on Tuesday.

They will be laid to rest in Convoy alongside Una's late mother, Mary, who died in April 1993.

The collision occurred on the N17 at Castlegar, between Knock and Claremorris as the three were making their way home to Moycullen in County Galway, where they lived.

David Bowden, Una's husband and the girls' father, was abroad when he learned of the tragedy and made arrangements to jet home.

Ms Bowden comes from a well-respected family in Raphoe.

Una was a student at the Royal and Prior Comprehensive School.

She and her beloved daughters will now be brought back to Donegal for burial.

The remains will leave Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar at 2pm on Monday to return to the Carlin farm at Milltown, Raphoe.

On Wednesday, the funeral will leave from the Carlin home at 11am for 12 noon service at St Eunan's Church, Raphoe.

Una, Ciara and Saoirse will be laid to rest, side-by-side, in the old graveyard, Convoy.

Una's father, John Carlin, was the first Chairman of the Donegal Athletics Board, who paid tribute saying: “We wish to express our deepest sympathy to John Carlin and the extended Carlin and Bowden families on the very sad loss of John's daughter Una and his granddaughters Ciara and Saoirse in Mayo last Tuesday.”

The family were very active in sport in Moycullen.

Ciara was due to play in an under-14 basketball tournament on Easter Monday.

Her basketball club, Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn, said: “The Bowdens were active in many sports throughout our community.

“Ciara had been selected for the Galway Area girls under-14 basketball team. The thoughts and prayers of everyone in Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn are with the family, friends, and teammates of the Bowden family.”

Oughterard Rugby club said: "Our thoughts and prayers in Oughterard Rugby are with dad and husband David, their extended family, friends, teammates and neighbours of the Bowden family.

"We send them all our love and support at this very difficult time.”

The Bowden family were also members of Cumann Iománaíochta Mhaigh Cuilinn, who have called off juvenile activity this weekend as a mark of respect.

The club said: “The Bowdens were active in many sports throughout the community and were members of Cumann Camógaíochta Mhaigh Cuilinn. We send them all our love and support at this very difficult time.”