Mother who lost family in Buncrana pier tragedy ten years ago thanks community as hundreds turn out for memori
Rioghnach-Ann McGrotty, who was four months old at the time, survived the tragedy after her father passed her out through a window to soccer player Davitt Walsh, who was passing by and had swum to try to help the family
Louise James lost her two sons, her sister, her mother and her partner in the tragedy in Buncrana.Last Friday marked ten years since Sean McGrotty (46), his two sons Mark (12) and Evan (8), the boys' grandmother Ruth Daniels (59) and Mrs Daniels' daughter Jodie-Lee (14) died when the family's Audi SUV slid on algae into Lough Swilly from the slipway in Buncrana, on March 20, 2016.Miraculously, Ms James’s and Mr McGrotty’s daughter Rioghnach-Ann McGrotty, who was four months old at the time, survived the tragedy after her father passed the baby out through a window to soccer player Davitt Walsh, who had swum out to try to help the family.The family, who were from Derry, had been in Buncrana for the day. Louise James and Rioghnach-Ann comfort each other during the Memorial Walk in Buncrana. Photo:North West Newspix On Sunday morning, over 1,500 people, many dressed in red and white in memory of the those who lost their lives, gathered to remember the family and the tragic events.The sun shone on the large crowd as Ms James and Rioghnach-Ann led the remembrance walk around Buncrana’s sweeping shoreside paths from the Play Park to the RNLI station at Ned’s Point. Speaking after the walk, Ms James said she was feeling overwhelmed but is extremely grateful to everyone who had come out to remember her family.She said she wanted to mark the tenth anniversary and remember her family members in a positive way.“I need to honour them in the best way and in every way that I can,” she said.“Everybody is here supporting Rioghnach-Ann too and she knows her brothers are living on in a really good way in their memory."It has been absolutely amazing to see so many people come out and support us just the way we wanted."It's fantastic. All I can say is thank you.”Sean McGrotty with his partner Louise James, holding four-month-old Rioghnach-Ann, and his sons Mark (right) and EvanThe family were joined by people from Buncrana, Inishowen and Derry along with representatives from the emergency services.Ms James said she will always be grateful for the cross-border support she received from the communities in Buncrana and Inishowen in Donegal at the time of the tragedy and in the years following. "I have always said that Donegal and Derry are like brother and sister,” she said.Louise James and daughter Rioghnach-Ann who was the only survivor of the tragedy. Photo: North West Newspix"When something happens, they pull together and the people are absolutely fantastic."We couldn't ask for better and we will always be thankful.”Two walkers who had travelled from County Armagh said they decided to join the walk after reading Ms James’s story and being touched by her bravery and courage to carry on.The money raised by the walk will be donated to the local RNLI branch in Buncrana. Floral tributes left at Buncrana Pier. Ms James said it was important for her to give back to the emergency services for the work that they do when people are most in need.“They put their life at risk every time they enter the water and this is our way of saying thank you and giving back to the community,” she said.Ahead of the walk, the crowd gathered at Buncrana Play Park for 11am as MC Michael Doherty led the crowd in a minute’s silence and prayer."Wee Mark, Evan, Ruth, Jodie and Sean lost their lives in the Buncrana tragedy. We are here today and we welcome everybody; school friends, friends of the family, the wider circle and the outer circle who have come here today,” Mr Doherty said.A family friend also sang Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher ahead of the walk. Some of the hundreds of walkers who turned out for the Buncrana Tragedy Memorial Walk. Photo: North West NewspixFollowing the walk, the large crowd gathered at the RNLI station for refreshments as music was played by the RNLI band. Ms James told the crowd it was a very tough day and thanked everyone for attending the remembrance walk and for all the support they have received. She said she wanted to celebrate the lives of her children, mother, sister and Mr McGrotty.A gala ball in honour of those who lost their lives will be held at the Ebrington Hotel in Derry on Friday, May 8, 2026.The large crowd at the RNLI station at Ned's Point.Ms James is also writing a book in memory of her loved ones, sharing her journey of grief, resilience and hope.The book is scheduled for publication later this year.
