A YOUNG mum and her six-year-old daughter who died in a horror crash will be laid to rest on Monday.
Mum Natalie McLaughlin, in her 20s, and her six-year-old girl, Ella, passed away when their car collided with a van at Glentogher, Carndonagh in Donegal just after 6.30pm on Wednesday.
Natalie’s partner, Tyrone Irwin, 30s, is in a serious condition at Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Derry.
However, his injuries are not understood to be life-threatening.
The young mum was initially treated at Altnagelvin Hospital but was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where she passed away on Thursday afternoon.
Little Ella was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Natalie and Ella’s funeral mass will take place at Sacred Heart Church in Carndonagh at 12pm on Monday.
The service will be followed by burial at the adjoining cemetery.
Their death notice reads: “Much-loved mother and sister of Rhea-Rose and cherished daughter and granddaughter of Joanne and Danny and adored sister and niece of Lara, Tiarnan and Ryan.
“Deeply regretted and sadly missed by their grandparents and great grandparents, Lynn and Anthony Noone and Margaret and Hugh McLaughlin, Natalie’s partner Tyrone, nieces and nephews, wider family circle, friends and neighbours.
“May Ella and Natalie Rest In Eternal Peace.
“Ella and Natalie’s remains will repose at the home of Natalie’s parents Joanne and Danny McLaughlin, Church Road, Carndonagh (F93 HY8V) where everyone is welcome to pay their respects tomorrow (Sunday July 5th) from 1-9pm.
“All other times are private please including the morning of the funeral. Funeral from there on Monday (July 7th) at 11.15am for 12pm Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Carndonagh followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery.
“Funeral mass can be viewed live on www.carndonaghparish.com
“Donations if desired to Hughie’s Corner.”
Ella and her mother Natalie both attended St Patrick’s Girls National School in Carndonagh.
The school said earlier this week: “This is an unimaginable tragedy for their family, for our school, and for the entire community.
“We are heartbroken, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Ella and Natalie’s family.”
They added: “Ella was a joyful and much-loved pupil in our school.”
The Carndonagh couple’s other daughter, Rhea Rose, aged two, was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital from Altnagelvin for treatment.
The tot’s injuries are said to be non-life-threatening.
Ms McLaughlin was well known in Carndonagh where she worked as a nurse in a local doctor’s surgery.
She qualified with a Bachelor of Science in Adult Nursing from Ulster University and began working as a registered nurse in 2022.
Her parents, Danny and Joanne, and both extended families were last night being comforted by friends.
Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal Authority, Cllr Martin McDermott, said: “Words fall short at this time — what can anybody say? They are such a lovely family and so well respected.
“It’s just devastating. The loss of anybody on our roads is difficult for any community to take.”
