A brother-sister duo, PJ and Una McGettigan, tragically lost their lives in a road accident in the Kilmacrennan village of County Donegal, which occurred late on Wednesday night. Both of them, quintessentially septuagenarians, faced a fatal end as their vehicle collided with another. The other car, driven by a woman in her 40s, caused severe but not fatal injuries and the woman is currently under care at the University Hospital in Letterkenny. The McGettigans are to receive their final respects this Sunday, in separate burial grounds.
The funeral for Mr McGettigan will be held post-noon after Requiem Mass at Termon’s St Columba’s Church. Meanwhile, following her 3pm Requiem Mass at the Church of St John the Baptist in Carrigart, Ms McGettigan will be laid to rest. Hailing originally from Gleneraugh in Carrigart, the McGettigans were significantly recognised and respected in their locality.
Being a retired psychiatric nurse, Mr McGettigan successfully ran a local physiotherapy business post-retirement. Besides his career, the father of three held significant presence in the boxing community as a trainer at the Termon Boxing Club and Carrigart Boxing Club. Ms McGettigan was formerly employed by the Fruit of Loom clothing factory. The siblings shared a close-knit relationship.
Witnesses of the accident are urged by the Gardaí to contribute any information. Eight fatalities have been recorded so far on Donegal roads this year, compared to ten for the entire previous year. Insp Seamus McGonigle, head of the Traffic Corps of County Donegal Garda, appealed to the public to exercise caution whilst driving on Donegal roads, insisting on the use of seatbelts and refraining from speeding or driving under the influence.