THE sole survivor of the Buncrana pier tragedy almost eight years ago, which claimed five lives of her family, has presented a cheque to her friends at Lough Swilly RNLI.
Little Rioghnach-Ann McGrotty was just four months old when she was rescued from the waters of Lough Swilly on March 20, 2016 after her family’s car slid off the slipway at Buncrana pier.
Rioghnach-Ann’s father Sean McGrotty (48), brothers Evan (8) and Mark (12), her grandmother Ruth Daniels (57) and auntie Jodie Lee Daniels (14) lost their lives in the tragedy.
The youngster was saved when she was rescued by hero Davitt Walsh. The Kerrykeel man had been passing by when he was alerted to the unfolding incident. He bravely jumped into the water to help, and brought the young girl to safety.
Since the tragedy, little Rioghnach-Ann has been no stranger to Lough Swilly RNLI, and has visited her friends at the station many times.
The eight-year-old returned to the station on Tuesday to present two cheques for €4,100 each. One was presented to Newtowncunningham gym owner, Danny Quigley’s charity, ‘Celebration of
Life’, and the other to emergency rescue service, Lough Swilly RNLI.
The money was raised by the Evan McGrotty Fund, set up in memory of her brother who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
A spokesperson for Lough Swilly RNLI said the team were delighted to see Rioghnach-Ann once again.
“It was fantastic to see Rioghnach back at Ned’s Point Station with her lifeboat family,” the crew said.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)