Father of crash victims tells funeral his world is 'now so empty'

Úna Bowden and daughters Saoirse, 10, and 14-year-old Ciara died in the crash near Claremorris

A man who lost his wife and two daughters in a road crash in the Republic has told their funeral Mass that his world is "now so empty".

In a eulogy read out at the service for Úna Bowden and her daughters Ciara and Saoirse in County Donegal, David Bowden said it was difficult to describe the loss of his family.

Forty-seven-year-old Úna Bowden, 14-year-old Ciara and 10-year-old Saoirse died when their car and a lorry collided on the N17 near Claremorris in County Mayo on 26 March.

In a tribute that was delivered to mourners by his brother, Mr Bowden said: "It is hard to put into words what the feeling is to lose your whole family in one go.

"I'm crying so hard as I write this.

Mr Bowden described his wife as his "soulmate [and] confidante" who was "so involved in everything... everything revolves around her girls".

'Such beautiful girls'

A cortège of three hearses travelled from Mrs Bowden's father's house in Miltown

Ms Bowden was originally from Raphoe and was a past pupil of the Royal and Prior School.

According to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, the Mass was held at St Eunan's Church, Raphoe, at noon on Wednesday.

Fr Eamonn Kelly told the congregation that words of heartache and sorrow did not capture the emptiness, pain and unfairness of the crash.

Photographs and gifts, including paintings and sports jerseys of the clubs the girls played at, were placed on their coffins.

Mr Bowden spoke of how they "were all such beautiful girls" and described his daughters' interests and personalities.

He also addressed the girls' friends, telling them their friendship was valued and that his daughters would not want them to be sad.

Meanwhile, Fr Kelly told the congregation to talk about their feelings and to remember the funny, silly, "we nearly got caught" moments.