|
|
Candystripe gesture for McGrottys
and Daniels
24.03.16
DERRY'S Guildhall clock
will light up red and white this evening to reflect
the favourite football colours of the three children
who died in the Buncrana drowning tragedy.
Derry City and Strabane District Council agreed to
turn the Guildhall clock the red and white colours
of Derry City and Manchester United Football Clubs
as a mark of respect to brothers Mark McGrotty (12)
and Evan McGrotty (8) and their teenage aunt Jodie
Lee Daniels (14).
The three children will be laid to rest at the City
Cemetery in Derry this afternoon as will the boys'
father Sean and Jodie Lee's mother Ruth.
All five died in a devastating accident at Buncrana
Pier last Sunday evening following a day-trip to the
seaside town.
Derry Mayor Cllr Elisha McCallion said turning the
Guildhall clock red and white and the council
premises red is "a symbolic gesture of support and
reflective of the huge outpouring of grief from the
local community".
“The two boys were massive Manchester United fans.
Their uncle Joshua Daniels plays for the local Derry
City FC and the boys and Jodie-Lee were passionate
about the sport.
"I spoke to Louise today at the wake and she spoke
about Evan and how he was obsessed with the colour
red, it was his favourite colour. He loved red
clothes and all the things in his room are red. We
feel it’s a fitting tribute to their memory to have
the lights on the council offices and the Alley
Theatre turned red as a mark of respect,” she added.
Earlier the council cancelled its monthly meeting as
a mark of respect to the families.
“The council is very much aware of the impact the
tragedy has had on the local community and is taking
every opportunity to show support for the families
and the wider community who are affected by it,” she
added. |
 |
|
Pier tragedy: Clockwise, Sean
McGrotty, Ruth Daniels, Mark and Evan McGrotty, and
Jodie Lee Daniels. |
|
Expressing her
condolence at the tragic deaths, she said: “This
tragedy has affected the entire community in Derry
and Donegal and left all of us feeling distraught.
My heart goes out to everyone affected by this
tragedy, especially to Louise. I can’t imagine what
she is going through right now, it is just
unthinkable and every mother’s nightmare. The
communities in Derry, Donegal and wider North West
region are united in grief today and by working
together we will help each other through this
harrowing time and will continue to offer support to
the families in the weeks and months that follow the
funerals." |
|
