A mother and her two young daughters who died in a tragic motorway crash in County Mayo have been named locally as Una Bowden, Ciara, and Saoirse. The three were pronounced dead at the scene after their car collided head-on with an articulated fuel lorry on the N17 at Castlegar on Monday afternoon.
Mrs Bowden, from Moycullen, County Galway, is believed to have been travelling to her native Donegal for the Easter holidays with her children. Her husband David, who was abroad at the time, has since been informed. The couple ran a safari business in Zambia, and Mr Bowden also works as a project manager for the United Nations.
Emergency services were called just before 2pm. The lorry driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Neighbours described the family as “wonderful” with “the most beautiful children”. They had lived in Moycullen for several years and had moved into a new home just days before the crash.
Eldest daughter Ciara had been due to take part in an under-14s basketball tournament on Easter Monday, which has been cancelled as a mark of respect. Saoirse was described as a talented Irish dancer. Local priest Father Peter Gannon said the community was devastated, noting it was the second fatal crash on the same stretch of road in just over two weeks.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 9372080 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
