Updated 14:05
The funerals of three Donegal women who died in a crash in County Louth on Friday are taking place today.
The community of Bruckless, County Donegal is in mourning following the tragic deaths.
The funeral for the first two women, 69-year-old Margaret McGonigle and her 39-year-old daughter Mairead Mundy, was held this morning.
They will be buried this afternoon, while the funeral for the third victim, Rachel Battles, will also be held in the town this afternoon.
The priest says a prayer over the coffins of Margaret McGonigle and her daughter Mairead Mundy as their funeral mass begins in Donegal pic.twitter.com/Cjg13XRYXZ
— Sean Defoe (@SeanDefoe) July 24, 2017
Hundreds of people gathered in the town for the funeral led by celebrant priest Fr James Sweeney.
“We, as a community give thanks today for the gifts of their lives,” he told the gathering.
“Death is always difficult to deal with but the death of two members of one family and a family friend leaves with us a very acute pain.
“The sense of loss can almost be overwhelming and indeed very difficult for the human mind to comprehend.
“The community has rallied together over the last few days to support all the families involved. The sense of community spirit has brought the parish together helping to provide all the support and assistance we can humanly give.”
The women had been returning from a holiday together when tragedy struck.
The three car collision happened in the early hours of the morning on Friday as the women returned from Dublin airport.
A six-year-old girl and a 31-year-old man were also seriously injured in the crash and were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
The community will return to the church at 2.30pm this afternoon for Rachel Battles’ funeral.
