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Woman who lost family in crash says they 'were her world'

Woman who lost family in crash says they 'were her world'

From RTÉ News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Geraldine Mullan stated her late husband and two children were her "whole world" following a court ruling that fined a roadworks company €1.2m for health and safety breaches linked to their 2020 deaths.
  • The company, Whitemountain Quarries Ltd, pleaded guilty to failing to manage public traffic safely through roadworks at Quigley's Point on August 20, 2020.
  • Mullan expressed hope that the judgment marks a step toward accountability and prevents similar tragedies, emphasizing her commitment to honoring her family's memory.

Geraldine Mullan described her late husband John and their two children, Tomás and Amelia, as her "whole world" as she spoke of the "immeasurable pain and heartbreak" caused by their deaths in a 2020 crash. Her words came after Whitemountain Quarries Ltd was fined €1.2 million at Letterkenny Circuit Criminal Court for health and safety breaches connected to the fatal incident.

They were my whole world, and I was the sole survivor of the accident that took their lives. All I have ever wanted is justice for John, Tomás and Amelia. Today's judgment has lifted a weight from me.

— Geraldine MullanExpressing her grief and the significance of the court's decision.

The roadworks company pleaded guilty to failing to manage and conduct public traffic safely through roadworks at Three Trees, Quigley's Point, on August 20, 2020. The Mullan family had been enjoying a day out in Derry before the crash, which occurred shortly before the start of the new school year. Geraldine Mullan was the sole survivor of the accident that claimed the lives of her husband, 49, and her children, 14-year-old Tomás and six-year-old Amelia.

My heart has been broken into pieces; the pain and heartbreak is immeasurable. There is no end to my grief. I will never get over our accident. It will live with me for the rest of my days.

— Geraldine MullanDescribing the lasting impact of the tragedy.

Speaking outside the court, Mullan called the day a "significant" one in a journey that began nearly six years ago. "All I have ever wanted is justice for John, Tomás and Amelia. Today's judgment has lifted a weight from me," she stated. She added that her heart is "broken into pieces" and the grief is unending, but she made a promise to her family to "keep living life to the fullest" and honor their memory.

I hope today's outcome is a step towards accountability and ultimately means no other family shall experience a tragedy of such epic proportion similar to mine.

— Geraldine MullanHoping the court's decision will lead to greater accountability and prevent future tragedies.

Mullan expressed hope that the outcome would be a step towards accountability and prevent other families from enduring similar tragedies. "While nothing can ever bring John, Tomás and Amelia back, I hope this marks the beginning of a new chapter where I can move forward while carrying them with me every day," she said. She urged others to "always tell people you love them" and "hug and kiss your children dearly," remembering her family as extraordinary individuals who filled her life with "love, laughter, and happiness."

While nothing can ever bring John, Tomás and Amelia back, I hope this marks the beginning of a new chapter where I can move forward while carrying them with me every day.

— Geraldine MullanReflecting on her path forward after the court ruling.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RTÉ News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.