THE priest who will bury tragic road victim Laura Connolly has vowed to remember her on the day she was due to be married next year.
The 34-year-old mum-of-one was killed when she was struck by a van in Lifford, Co Donegal, last Sunday morning.
Planned big day…Tragic Laura and and Joe were engaged
Fr. Colm O’Doherty has vowed to remember Laura on the day she was due to be married next yearCredit: Newspix
The mum-of-one’s funeral will be held on Thursday
Laura will be laid to rest on Thursday by her heartbroken parents, partner and son after a private family funeral.
Sean Connaughton, 50, who has an address in Dundalk, Co Louth, yesterday appeared in court charged with road traffic offences relating to the fatal collision, which happened at the N15 at Townparks, Lifford at 2.34am on Sunday.
Laura was due to marry her teenage sweetheart Joe McCullagh in September 2022.
Just hours before she died, Laura had been out shopping for wedding dresses.
Now instead of planning a wedding, Lauras heartbroken family are preparing for her funeral.
Her devastated partner Joe McCullagh and their young son Jamie were being consoled by family and friends after her death.
PROMISE MADE
Parish priest of Lifford Fr Colm ODoherty revealed how Laura and Joe had come to him about making arrangements for their big day.
He said: They were excited and I was naturally delighted for them.
They had chosen September of next year and I was very happy for them and their young son.
But you just dont know how things can change so quickly.
Fr Colm revealed how he has made himself a promise to remember Laura and her family in a special way on what would have been the couples big day.
He added: I dont know what we will do but we will mark it in some special way. Its the least we can do.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Her funeral will take place at 11am on Thursday at St Patricks Church in Murlog, before burial in the adjoining cemetery.
It will be private to family only, in line with Covid-19 restrictions, but will also be streamed online.
Lauras family said in an online death notice their beloved girl was the cherished daughter of Rosemary and Jimmy, much loved partner of Joe, dearly loved mother of Jamie, loving sister and beloved granddaughter.”
They added that Laura was deeply regretted by her heartbroken parents, partner, son, brother, granny and family circle.”
Fr Colm has visited Lauras family a number of times since the tragedy.
The popular priest paid tribute to the local community and the wider county of Donegal and said people sometimes showed the greatest support when they say nothing at all.
STRONG COMMUNITY
He continued: Lauras family have been amazing considering all theyve been through. And the community have been so supportive. Sometimes there has been silence but just being there is enough.
Sometimes words are not needed and all we need to be is there for somebody. I cant speak highly enough of the community and what they have done since this awful tragedy.
Meanwhile, a man yesterday appeared in court charged with road traffic offences relating to the crash.
Letterkenny District Court heard evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Sean Connaughton, 50, of Doolargy Avenue, Dundalk, Co Louth.
On Sunday, July 11, at 1.47pm he was arrested on suspicion of a hit-and-run causing death or serious injury.
At around 2.45am, Gardaí and emergency services attended at the scene of a traffic collision on the N15 at Townparks, Lifford.
Ms Connolly was taken from the scene by ambulance to University Hospital Letterkenny where she was later pronounced dead.
The accused appeared in court, but did not speak during the brief hearing.There were no Garda objections to bail, but conditions were requested and granted by Judge Deirdre Gearty.
A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further directions.
The matter was adjourned to October 18 and bail was granted on Connaughtons own bond of 100.
Court appearance…Sean Connaughton