N17 road deaths were an 'unspeakable tragedy' for family and community

The death of a 47-year-old mother and her two young children in a road traffic collision on the N17 near Claremorris was described as an 'unspeakable tragedy' for their family and the entire community.

The inquests into the deaths of Una Bowden of An Teacin, Gortachalla, Moycullen, Co Galway and her daughters, Ciara (14) and Saoirse (10) opened in Swinford Courthouse yesterday (Monday) morning.

The trio were travelling along the N17 when their car was involved in a collision with a truck on the N17 north of Claremorris on March 26 last.

Dr Fadel Bennani, Consultant Pathologist with Mayo University Hospital, explained that all three died as a result of extensive head and body injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. The results of a blood test from Una Bowden confirmed she was negative for alcohol and drugs at the time of her death.

David Bowden, husband of Una and father of the two children, was not present for the opening of the inquest but was represented by a Garda Liaison Officer.

Adjournment

Mr Patrick O'Connor adjourned the inquest to a later date pending a full Garda investigation into the cause of the deaths. He expressed his sincere sympathy to Mr Bowden saying the deaths of the three was an 'unspeakable tragedy for the family and the entire community' as they had been 'taken in the prime of their lives'.

He also acknowledged the trauma and difficulties such an incident may have been to An Garda Síochána and other members of the emergency services and expressed his appreciation to Dr Bennani and the staff in Mayo University Hospital.

Court presenter, Sgt Seán McHale, thanked Mr O'Connor for his kind remarks and described the events of March 26 as traumatic for anyone who witnessed the collision along the N17.

He thanked all the people who stopped to render assistance and comfort to the deceased before the arrival of the emergency services. He also expressed sympathy to David Bowden on the death of his wife and children and to John Carlin in Co Donegal on the death of his daughter and grandchildren and all their family and friends.

He added that Ciara and Saoirse will also be missed by their friends in Moycullen and offered his sincere sympathies to them all.