Photographs of the three family members killed in a crash in Tyrone earlier this week have been released as funeral details are announced.
The victims - named locally as brother and sister Dan and Christine McKane and their aunt Julia McSorley - died when the minivan they were travelling in was involved in a collision with a lorry on the A5 road near Aughnacloy on Thursday morning.
Four other members of the same family were taken to hospital. Two have since been discharged.
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They had been travelling home from Dublin after attending a funeral in England.
Funerals will be held on Sunday and Monday.
The funeral of Julia McSorley, a mum-of-five from Newtownstewart, will take place on Sunday at 11.30am at St Eugene's Church, Glenock with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
Her death notice reads: “Beloved wife of Patsy and the much-loved mother of Patsy, Maria, Shane, Colin and Julie, dear sister of Ina and the late Mary, Anne, Danny, Don, Margaret and Bridie.
“Deeply regretted by her sorrowing Husband, Son’s, Daughters, Sons-in-law, Daughters-in-law, Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren, Sister and entire family circle. Sacred Heart Of Jesus have Mercy on Her Soul.”
A joint funeral service for siblings Christine and Dan McKane will take place on Monday at noon in The Church of The Immaculate Conception, with burial afterwards in Strabane Cemetery.
Christine McKane’s death notice reads: “Much loved mother of Nicole, Gary and Danny, doting granny of Danny and Róise, loving sister of Mary, William, Julie, Ina, Colette and the late Margaret-Rose and Dan, cherished daughter of the late Detta and Danny.
“Family flowers only please, donations if desired to Marie Curie Cancer Care c/o any family member or Charles Lynch, Funeral Director. Very deeply regretted and sadly missed by her entire family circle. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on her soul.”
Dan McKane’s death notice reads: “Much loved father of Cara and Ruth, loving brother of Mary, William, Julie, Ina, Colette and the late Margaret-Rose and Christine, cherished son of the late Detta and Danny.
“Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, to Marie Curie Cancer Care c/o any family member or Charles Lynch, Funeral Director. Very deeply regretted and sadly missed by his entire family circle. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul.”
Last night a vigil was held at Our Lady’s Grotto in Strabane, with hundreds of people coming out to remember the victims and show support to the McKane and McSorley families.
Friends and relatives of those killed were in attendance as mourners filled the Grotto, while more gathered on the surrounding streets.
A moment of silence was observed and a candle was lit for each of the victims.
Father Declan Boland, who held the vigil, thanked those in attendance.
“Your presence here this evening is deeply appreciated,” he said.
“We’re all at a loss of what to say, how to respond, but we respond in the deepest way possible – we gather together as a community of faith.”
Fr Boland expressed condolences to the family on behalf of the community in Strabane.
“We’re standing in silent solidarity this evening with the McKane family, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss,” he said.
He also asked for prayers for the four other members of the family injured in the crash. Two have been discharged from hospital.
A mass was also held in Aughnacloy in memory of the victims.
The incident has prompted calls from politicians and community figures for the A5 road, where the incident occurred, to be upgraded and made safer.
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