Deaths of Una Bowden and two daughters in Mayo road crash an ‘unspeakable tragedy’, coroner says

Ms Bowden (47) and daughters Ciara (14) and Saoirse (10), from Moycullen, Co Galway, died in a hit between their automotive and an oil tanker at the primary N17 outdoor Claremorris, Co Mayo, on March 26.

Opening their inquests on Monday, Mayo coroner Pat O’Connor presented his “deepest and sincere” reassurances to David Bowden, who misplaced his spouse and daughters.

“What can one say to adequately describe the loss and devastation of Mr Bowden on the passing of his wife and children? It is unspeakable,” he stated.

Mr Bowden have been running in Africa when he was once knowledgeable of the deaths of his spouse and daughters.

Mr O’Connor stated the dimensions of the tragedy noticed the “complete annihilation” of Mr Bowden’s people – “three people in the prime of their lives”.

Mr O’Connor stated the street the place the tragedy happened, the N17, was once certainly one of two roads in Co Mayo that have been the scene of a vital choice of tragedies.

The alternative highway the place various gruesome injuries have happened is the N5 akin Swinford the place, amongst others, Ciaran Keating, a brother of the singer Ronan Keating, died in July 2023.

Regardless of each nationwide routes being “two of our better roads” within the county, they’ve been the scene of unfortunate highway tragedies, Mr O’Connor stated.

The coroner appealed to the government inside of An Garda Síochána, and to Tom Gilligan, director of services and products at Mayo County Council, in order their predominant consideration to the topic.

Mr O’Connor additionally disputed a declare made at a contemporary Mayo County Council assembly, that he as coroner had by no means contacted the council relating to his considerations about highway deaths, as “completely untrue”.

Mr O’Connor stated the aim of opening the inquests into the deaths of the Bowden people was once to help David Bowden in formal issues.

He stated the primary listening to would trade in most effective with id and the reason for loss of life of the Una and her daughters and can be adjourned pending the end result of a Garda investigation.

Dr Fadel Bennani, guide pathologist at Mayo College Clinic, stated Una, Ciara and Saoirse Bowden have been known via DNA research.

Dr Bennani stated all 3 sufferers died because of dreadful accidents sustained in a highway visitors strike.

A toxicology screening discovered negative hint of alcohol or intoxicants in Una Bowden’s gadget.

The coroner recommended Dr Bennani and his personnel on the mortuary in Mayo College Clinic for his or her professionalism and willpower.

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Mr O’Connor additionally paid tribute to the gardaí and extremity services and products who attended the scene and the ones gardaí who’re nonetheless investigating the tragedy.

He praised each services and products for his or her professionalism and their loyalty to folk responsibility for what he stated will have to were an “extremely difficult and traumatic” revel in for them.

Echoing the coroner’s feedback, Sergeant Kevin McHale, of Claremorris Garda Station, stated it have been an excessively irritating revel in for motorists who discovered the scene.

Sgt McHale prolonged his comforts to the behalf of the gardaí to Mrs Bowden’s father, John Carlin, and her sisters.

Sgt McHale stated the deaths of Ciara and Saoirse will have to be deeply felt by means of their college pals in Galway.