Mother who lost her husband, son (14) and daughter (6) in Lough Foyle tragedy tells people to ‘hug and kiss your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you’

A woman who tragically lost her entire immediate family when the car they were travelling in went into the Lough Foyle in August, is telling people to “hug and kiss your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you”.
Geraldine Mullan bids a loving farewell to her six year-old daughter Amelia.Geraldine Mullan bids a loving farewell to her six year-old daughter Amelia.
Geraldine Mullan bids a loving farewell to her six year-old daughter Amelia.

Geraldine Mullan, her husband John (49), son Tomás (14) and daughter Amelia (6) were travelling home to Moville, Co. Donegal after spending some time in Londonderry on Thursday August 20, when the vehicle they were in left the road and entered Lough Foyle.

John, Tomás and Amelia lost their lives - Geraldine survived.

The tragedy gripped communities on both sides of border.

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On Sunday, Geraldine wrote a letter in which she methodically thanked as many people as she possibly could for their help and support since that heartbreaking August night - the letter was published by The Irish Independent.

“As I have learned in the cruellest of fashions, it is vitally important to cherish every moment and I will echo that sentiment to you all in closing out this letter of thanks,” said Geraldine.

“Please hug and kiss your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you.

“I was so lucky to have been loved by John, Tomás and Amelia.

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“I am deeply proud and privileged to have been a mother and wife.

“It is their love that will keep me going in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.”

She added: I tell them I love them each and every day and I always will.

“Equally so, I will never lose hope, I will take it a day at a time, sometimes an hour at a time, and I will keep going for them like I know they’d want me to.

“I will cherish the wonderful memories we created and I will try to live every day for my beloved family,” she said.

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