Ireland

Mother whose daughter died in car crash attends funeral on medical trolley

Donna McDermott (30s) was killed and her mother Mary was injured in a collision at Quigley’s Point, Donegal, last week

Donna McDermott, who was from Ballymacarthur, Greencastle, died following a two car collision at Quigley’s Point, Co Donegal.
Wed Sept 11 2024 - 15:16

The mother of a young woman killed in a car crash in Co Donegal insisted on being released from hospital for her daughter’s funeral Mass.

Mary McDermott lay on a medical trolley just feet from the coffin of her daughter Donna during the ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Ballybrack, Moville on Wednesday.

Mary was the driver of the car in which Donna died following a two car collision at Quigley’s Point last Friday night.

Donna, who was in her 30s, was the fifth person to die on Donegal’s roads in just 13 days.

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Her mother, who is in her 70s, suffered injuries in the crash and has been receiving medical attention since.

But on Wednesday, accompanied by medical staff, she was determined to be by Donna’s side once again to say a last goodbye.

Donna, from Ballymacarthur in Greencastle, was a familiar face in the seaside town as she worked for many years in the local Centra Store.

Among the large congregation were many of Donna’s former colleagues from the shop who this week described her as “the life and soul” of the store.

Donna’s brothers and sister Brendan, Brian, Richard and Danielle comforted each other as they tried to come to terms with their unexpected loss.

The deceased woman’s dad Brendan, with whom she was very close, died four years ago from cancer.

Before the mass began symbols of Donna’s life were brought to the altar. They included a framed family picture, a Moville GAA jersey and a set of darts.

Fr Colm O’Doherty told the congregation it was impossible to find the right words on occasions like this when a young life was taken away.

He had administered the last rights to Donna by the roadside following the crash.

“The moving point for me was when I was kneeling down beside Donna and members of the emergency services formed a circle around me in prayer,” he said.

“I’d like to thank them for the help and dignity they showed to Donna. That just showed how special this community is.

“They rally around and cannot do enough for any family in need. It’s a reminder of a special gift of togetherness – never underestimate that.”

He said everyone knew Donna was a “live wire” and it was her personality which endeared her to so many during her short life.

She loved sports and played GAA, soccer, basketball and darts.

Donna’s coffin was led from St Mary’s Church to the sounds of My Donegal to be buried in Ballybrack graveyard.