Raphoe woman and two daughters killed in horror Mayo crash

A Raphoe woman and her two children were tragically killed in a horrific crash in County Mayo on Tuesday.

Una Bowden, née Carlin, who was aged 47 and her young daughters Ciara and Saoirse lost their lives in the tragic collision.

The family lived in the Moycullen area of County Galway, but were believed to be returning to Donegal for an Easter visit at the time of the crash.

Raphoe and the east Donegal area were plunged into darkness as news emerged of the identity of those involved.

Una is a native of Raphoe and a former student at the Royal and Prior Comprehensive School.

The horror collision occurred on the N17 at Castlegar, between Knock and Claremorris, in County Mayo shortly after 2pm on Tuesday.

The car being driven by Ms Bowden collided with an articulated fuel lorry. It is believed that Ms Bowden and her two daughters, aged 14 and 11, died instantly.

The driver of the lorry was treated for shock. A van driver, whose evasive action saw him avoid colliding with the other vehicles and ended up in a ditch, was also treated for shock.

Both of the other motorists avoided serious injury.

Ms Bowden's husband, David Bowden, who is a native of Zambia, was abroad when he learned of the tragedy and made arrangements to return home.

The couple previously lived in Africa and ran a safari business and Mr Bowden also works with the United Nations as a project manager. He was in Ethiopia when the news was broken to him.

The bodies of the deceased woman and her two daughters were taken to Mayo University Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Ms Bowden comes from a well-respected family in Raphoe. Her father John Carlin was the first Chairman of the Donegal Athletics Board in 1971.

Ms Bowden and her daughters were coming back to Donegal and planned to return to Galway in advance of an under-14 basketball tournament on Easter Monday, which Ciara was due to play in. The competition has since been cancelled as a mark of respect.

A stretch of the N17 remained closed overnight on Tuesday to allow a technical examination by forensic collision investigators and reopened again on Wednesday.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

A spokesperson said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 9372080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”