Duo raise €70k for relatives of Buncrana victims

Two big-hearted people from both sides of the border have raised €70,000 to assist the relatives of the five who died in last Sunday’s drownings in Co Donegal.

Michelle Black from Buncrana and Martin McGranaghan from Derry met for the first time yesterday. Sean McGrotty, 46, his two sons Mark, 12 and Evan, eight, and the boys’ grandmother Ruth Daniels, 59, died alongside Mrs Daniels’s daughter Jodi-Lee.

Ms Black and Mr McGranaghan were so touched by what happened that they decided to try to raise money to help Louise and her baby Rioghnach-Ann.

“I have four children myself and it really affected me and I know it really affected the people of Buncrana. The town has been almost silent for the past week,” said Ms Black

Mr McGranaghan said people were generous: “I didn’t want Louise worrying about anything so I started by asking for £5,000 [€6,325] in donations and it’s now over £47,000.”

A fundraiser took place in New York during the week to add €10,000 bringing the total to around €70,000. https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Buncranatragedy