'They are together' - Funeral of mother and daughter killed in Donegal crash hears

Carndonagh came to a standstill for the heartbreaking double funeral of Natalie and Ella McLaughlin on Monday afternoon, Donegal Live reports.

The mother and daughter died following a road traffic collision near Glentogher last Wednesday evening.

Six-year-old Ella was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at Carrowmore, while mum Natalie, aged in her 20s, passed away from her injuries at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital less than 24 hours later, on Thursday evening.

Carndonagh Parish Priest Fr Con McLaughlin called their deaths an “unspeakable tragedy”.

He told mourners at the Sacred Heart Church in Carn that the community had “come together in sadness” for the requiem mass of the “two young lives taken so soon, and no one has the answer.”

Within the first few hours following the crash, Fr McLaughlin told the packed church that his thoughts began turning around in his head “as it is difficult to watch those we love suffer and the other one is we dont want to be nailed to the cross or the cross to be nailed to us but the cross has been firmly nailed to these families here today.”

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Natalie’s other daughter 18-month-old Rhea Rose, who was a backseat passenger in the car, is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Belfast’s Royal, while Natalie’s partner, Tyrone, who was a front seat passenger, is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.

In his sermon, Fr McLaughlin described their deaths as “an unspeakable tragedy and the pain felt throughout the whole community.”

“Setting off with their two young children in their little red Opel Corsa together with Tyrone would be a journey that was to rob them of their young lives.”

Fr McLaughlin praised the gallant efforts of the emergency services as they worked at a distressing scene.

“My abiding memory is little Rhea Rose, only 18 months old, drifting in and out of consciousness, and each time she woke up, she would cry, raising her little arms as if wanting to be lifted from the stretcher.”

The Parish Priest noted the pain that such a tragedy would bring for anyone who has previously lost a loved one or been in an accident.

“The pain of the tragedy was felt in Carndonagh but also throughout Inishowen and further afield because it provides painful memories of too many similar tragedies that have taken place throughout this region.”

“Personally, the scene revived memories of when I ministered in Buncrana. During my time in the parish, there was a series of multiple fatalities in car accidents. How much more will this tragedy revive similar memories in so many people?”

Fr McLaughlin said in the immediate days following the tragedy, he spoke to Natalie's parents and “just one comment was forthcoming, as Natalie’s mother said, well, at least the only consolation I have is now that they are together.”

Prayers of the Faithful were read at the funeral by family members and by Dr Kelly, a colleague of Natalie’s at the local surgery in Carndonagh, where she was a much-respected nurse. 

Before the white coffins entered the church, students and staff formed a guard of honour outside Carndonagh Community School, where Natalie was a past pupil.

Members of Inishowen Rugby Club also stood shoulder to shoulder to remember Ella and Natalie, as the cortege filed past.

Natalie’s brother Tiarnan and sister Lara summed up the young lives of their sister and niece.

An emotional Tiarnan speaking about “Our Nat” said she was “the best big sister, mum, friend, niece, cousin, and daughter who put everyone before herself. When you asked Nat for help, you already knew the answer was yes. She was just that loving and thoughtful.”

“As a mother, she took care of two beautiful children who were always reminded they were the most loved in the world.”

“Natalie loved her job as an amazing nurse, which is no wonder; such a kind, caring, vibrant young woman who would make anyone welcome with her smile and soft spoken nature. I know you are listening, Nat, and you know how much everyone loves you; love you, Nat.”  

Speaking about “our little Ella,” Lara described her as “the light of our lives and the centre of our entire world.”

“For a girl so young, she was entirely sure of who she was. So outgoing and so intelligent, who lived such a full life in a very short six years.”

Speaking about Ella’s most recent holiday to Portugal only two weeks ago, Lara said she “learned how to swim, play chess and do magic tricks.” 

“For the past six years, we have been kept completely entertained and happily on our toes. Ella possesses the biggest craziest personality and the sweetest soul.”

There wasn't a dry eye in the packed church as Lara concluded: “We will love and miss you, Ella, every second of every day, forever.”

During the mass, gifts were brought forward to mark their short lives. These included family photos, Natalie’s nurse's uniform, and toys that Ella loved to play with. 

Before their coffins were removed from the church, Fr McLaughlin held up a photo of Ella as the song ‘Die With a Smile’ by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars was played to the congregation. It was a song that little Ella used to love to sing.  

The mother and daughter's remains were then taken from the Sacred Heart Church for burial in the adjoining cemetery.

May they rest in peace.