Special Mass to mark Buncrana pier tragedy anniversary

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Strand Road building was due to be lit up red as a mark of respect to Mr McBride, and to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy at Buncrana.

On March 20, 2016 Ruth Daniels, her daughter Jodie-Lee Tracey, son-in-law Sean McGrotty and his children Mark and Evan, all lost their lives when the vehicle they were in slid off the pier.

Seconds before the car sank, Mr McGrotty managed to hand the couple’s four-month-old baby daughter Ríoghnach through the window to Davitt Walsh who swam out to the stricken vehicle.

An anniversary Mass for the victims of the Buncrana pier tragedy is due to be held on Monday night at the Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty.

Local priest, Fr Michael Canny, appealed for privacy for the family ahead of the year’s anniversary.