Inquest date set for Buncrana pier tragedy

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Friday, 16 June 2017 15:23

By David Hunter

A date has been set for the inquests of a family of five from Derry who died in Buncrana Pier tragedy last year.

A four month old baby was the sole survivor when a family car slid on algae into the sea in Co.Donegal.

Sean McGrotty, 49, and his sons Mark, 12, and Evan, eight, their grandmother,Ruth Daniels, 57, her daughter Jodie Lee Daniels, 14, all lost their lives.

At a pre-evidential hearing in Buncrana today, Coroner Dr Denis McCauley said the inquests would take place on two days this November.

He described the deaths as a terrible tragedy and said a venue for the inquests would be decided later.

Members of Sean McGrotty’s family were present today alongside solicititors and the firm which insured the family's car.

Mr.McGrotty passed baby Rionaghac-Ann out a window of the sinking car to footballer, Davitt Walsh, who swam out from a near by pier.

He then went back inside the vehicle to try and save the other family members, despite not being able to swim.