'Their smiles lit up the room': Tributes paid to mother and daughters killed in Mayo crash
And Ciara Garda (14) Office Bowden (9) Picture: (47), Una Saoirse Bowden Bowden Press
The victims of Tuesday's fatal collision in Mayo have been hailed as "three beautiful, kind, loving, caring ladies".
Una Bowden, 47, and her daughters Ciara, 14, and Saoirse, 9 were on their way back from seeing family when their car collided with an articulated lorry on the N17 Galway to Sligo road near Claremorris, Co Mayo.
The vehicles involved are understood to have been travelling in opposite directions.
The lorry driver escaped physical injury.
A vigil was held on Wednesday evening in Moycullen, where the trio lived.
Ms Bowden's South African-born husband is now returning to Ireland as he had been working in Ethiopia as a project manager. He had been due to return to Ireland this weekend.
Both daughters were involved with Oughterard Rugby Club and Moycullen Basketball Club, with Una assisting with IT issues also.
Oughterard Rugby Club's Julie Ann Brown said that the wider community was "devastated".
"The Bowdens were very active in many sports, both in [Moycullen] and in Oughterard, so it's such a tragedy for the area. Three beautiful, kind, loving, caring ladies just gone in a moment," Ms Brown told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
Both daughters were members of school choirs.
"They were a multi-talented family. They had beautiful big smiles."
Ms Brown said that the community was coming together, particularly talking about the incident with younger children.
"The quiet energy that they had, they were very quiet girls yet they had this beautiful energy about them. Their smiles lit up the rooms."
Parish priest Father Martin Whelan said a prayer service was held on Wednesday night to express the community’s grief and devastation.
Classmates of the girls attended the service.
“It was also just an opportunity for people to gather as well,” he said.
Ciara had been selected as part of the Galway U14 basketball team and was due to travel to Limerick on Monday for a competition.
Cumann Camogaiochta Mhaigh Cuilinn said it was “devastated” at the “terrible tragedy”.
“Ciara and Saoirse were both valued members of Cumann Camogaiochta Mhaigh Cuilinn.
“Ciara was a member of the U15 and 16 panels and played as recently as last Sunday. Her younger sister Saoirse was a member of the U10 team.
“Ciara, Saoirse and Una will all be greatly missed by their friends, teammates and coaches."
The Moycullen Handball group said it was “heart-breaking news”.
“Una and Ciara were both active members of our club and will be sadly missed.
“At this time of unimaginable grief we extend our deepest sympathies to Una’s husband David, their extended families, and friends.”
Investigating gardaí are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the fatal incident.
Any road users with camera footage from the area at the time have been asked to make this footage available.
Ciara was in her first year at Salerno all-girls secondary school in Salthill, Galway, while Saoirse was in Tullokyne National School, Moycullen.