Three killed in crash to be buried in Donegal

The mother and two daughters who were killed in a road accident in Co Mayo on last Tuesday are to be buried in her native Co Donegal.

Una Carlin Bowden (47) and daughters Ciara and Saoirse died when their vehicle collided with a fuel lorry outside Claremorris, Co Mayo.

Ciara (14) was a first-year student in the Salerno Secondary School in Galway city. Saoirse (10) was in third class in Scoil Naomh Bríde in Tullykyne, Moycullen, Co Galway.

Mrs Bowden’s husband and the girls’ father, David Bowden, had been working with the United Nations in Ethiopia when the accident happened.

It is understood that Mrs Bowden and her daughters were travelling home from visiting Mrs Bowden’s father, John Carlin, in Raphoe, Co Donegal, when the accident happened.

It is believed the Bowdens had lived for many years in Africa before returning to Ireland and settling in Moycullen with their two girls. Mr Bowden had continued his work with UN, but travelled home regularly to Moycullen. He had been due to return home last Friday.

The family will lay Mrs Bowden and her two daughters to rest next to Mrs Bowden’s mother in a graveyard in the village of Convoy, Co Donegal.

A wake for the three is to be held from tomorrow until Wednesday at the Carlin Farm, Miltown, Raphoe, when hundreds of mourners are expected to attend.

The Bowdens were a huge part of the community in Moycullen where they were members of a number of groups including a basketball club.

The funeral of Mrs Bowden, Ciara and Saoirse is to take place at St Eunan’s Church, Raphoe, at noon on Wednesday.