A MUM and daughter killed in a horror road tragedy in Donegal were laid to rest side by side this afternoon.
Natalie McLaughlin and her daughter Ella, 6, lost their lives in the fatal collision on the R240 at Glentogher, Carndonagh last week.
Young Ella died at the scene of the two-vehicle collision on the Glentogher Road, just outside Carndonagh on 2nd July.
The following day, her mother Natalie, who worked as a nurse in a Carndonagh doctor’s surgery, passed away at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Only two of the car’s occupants survived.
At the joint-funeral Mass, prayers were said for the speedy recovery of Natalie’s partner Tyrone Irwvin, who is in Altnagelvin Hospital and little Rhea-Rose, who is 18 months old and continues to be treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
The young family had enjoyed happy times on a holiday to Portugal just two weeks ago.
Hundreds lined the streets of Carndonagh town centre as the beloved mother and daughter’s funeral cortège made its way to the church today.
Their funeral mass heard of Natalie’s caring ways, and how she made sure her children knew they were the “most loved in the world”.
Tributes to Ella celebrated a bubbly and entertaining girl who “lived such a full life in a very short six years”.
Amid their grief, the “only consolation” that Natalie’s family has from the tragedy is that they are now together.
Parish Priest Fr Con McLaughlin said the pain of the tragedy has been felt throughout the whole community.
LIVES ROBBED
He recounted the day that Natalie, Tyrone, and the children began a journey in their little red Opel Corsa, a journey that “would be a journey which was to rob them of their young lives”.
Fr McLaughlin said: “The pain is felt not only in Carndonagh, but also throughout our Inishowen and further afield because it provides painful memories of all too many similar tragedies that have taken place throughout the region.”
Fr McLaughlin shared that Natalie’s mother offered one heart-wrenching comment when she said: ‘The only consolation I have is now that they are together’.
He added: “Two young lives taken. No one has the answers.”
GIFTS PRESENTED
Gifts and eulogies from Natalie’s family honoured the passions and lovable characters of both mother and daughter.
Natalie’s nursing uniform was presented to the altar. A tribute from her brother Tiernan recalled how much she loved her job and cared for everyone.
He said: “Our Nat was the best big sister, mum, friend, daughter. She put everyone before herself, maybe sometimes a little too much, but it was obvious how much of a caring person she really was.”
Also among the gifts was a Labubu toy of Ella’s.
FINAL JOURNEY
She loved dancing and fashion and had been so proud to wear a Labubu attached to her shorts at a recent dance class, where she had many friends, just as she did at St Patrick’s Girls National School.
The funeral concluded with an emotional pause as Ella’s favourite song, Die With A Smile by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, filled the air.
The congregation listened to lyrics which included; “Nobody’s promised tomorrow” and “If the world was ending, I want to be next to you,” before departing for Natalie and Ella’s final journey.
The local community has raised more than €43,000 through the ‘Honouring Natalie & Ella – A Community’s Love‘ GoFundMe.
