A repatriation fund for the family killed in last week’s crash in County Galway has raised nearly €60,000 in 12 hours.

Karzan Ahmed, his wife Shahen and their nine-month-old baby Lina were among four people who died on the M6 near Ballinasloe last Thursday evening.

Another car hit their vehicle after travelling the wrong way down the motorway.

The organisers of the fundraiser say baby Lina never got to meet her family in Iraq, and are trying to bring their bodies back home.

“We were all left devastated, heartbroken and confused by such a senseless loss,” they wrote.

“Their lives were only just beginning, with Karzan having just submitted his PhD thesis, secured a new job, and of course the unbridled joy of Lina being born.

“They were so happy. The only small comfort we have is knowing that they are still together.”

The family has been living in Ireland since 2017 and were planning to travel home to visit family and introduce them to baby Lina.

The GoFundMe page has raised nearly €60,000 since it was set up last night.