Funeral arrangements for Derry's Rebecca Browne

The funeral of Rebecca Browne, the 21-year-old hairdresser who was killed in a tragic accident in Buncrana in the early hours of Sunday, will take place on Friday.

Ms Browne, from the Galliagh area of Derry city, was killed when she was struck by a Garda patrol car at Ludden, Buncrana.

Requiem Mass will take place at 10am on Friday (May 26, 2023) in St Joseph's Church, Galliagh, with internment afterwards in the City Cemetary.

Late of Elaghmore Park in Galliagh, Ms Browne is survived by her parents, Jeremiah and Lynn, brother Ethan, grandfather Michael Browne, grandfather Ray Smith and a wide circle of family and friends.

Rebecca's godmother, Karina Smith, posted a beautiful poem in her memory yesterday. One of many tributes that have been paid to the young woman since news of the tragedy broke.

Karina said: "The whole way home I asked Rebecca to help me write a beautiful poem about her and to be honest I didn't know if I was going to be able to do one that would live up to how amazing she was I kept thinking about shining stars because that's what she was. And as I started with that concept in my head. A song started to play on Daire's speaker... When you wish upon a star and straight after twinkle twinkle so with that sign, I just had to finish it for you my gorgeous goddaughter. I hope I've done you proud
Our shining star of beauty
Our Superstar in the sky

'My beautiful best friend': Tributes to tragic victim Rebecca Browne

The 21-year-old hairdresser from Derry was killed when she was struck by a Garda patrol car in the early hours of Sunday morning

A GoFundMe page has been set up to aid the grief-stricken family. Almost £7,000 has been pledged by over 350 people with the funds to go towards funeral costs and other expenses incurred.

Rebecca was returning from a night out to where she was staying, close to where the tragic collision occurred at around 3.15am on Sunday.

Friends and family have left flowers and photographs in her memory at the spot on the side of the R238 road.

“To my beautiful best friend. I'm going to miss you so much,” one floral tribute says.

Another from a close friend says: “Rest in peace beautiful You will always be remembered.”

“Our Becca, we love you so much,” reads a handwritten note at the scene. “We will be lost without you.”

Derry woman tragically killed described as 'life and soul of the party'

Local community devastated at death of Rebecca Browne

Tributes were also paid at Tuesday's sitting of Buncrana District Court.

Mr Ciaran Mac Lochlainn, a Buncrana-based solicitor, touched on what he called a 'tragic incident' before the beginning of the day's court business.

“Unfortunately, it's not the first incident of its kind that we have had to endure,” Mr Mac Lochlainn said.

Tributes paid to young woman tragically killed in Buncrana

Victim named locally as Rebecca Browne

“The publicity for something like this is not one we relish in any form or fashion. On behalf of the legal profession, I extend sincere sympathy to the family of the young lady and also express our good wishes to all of the people involved.

“It was a tragic incident.”

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said she wished to echo Mr Mac Lochlainn's sentiments and extended her condolences to all involved.

Ms Browne, a hairdresser at Sage Hair and Beauty on Specer Road in Derry, attended an evening reception of a wedding on Saturday evening at a Buncrana hotel.

She was walking back to the caravan park where she was staying when she was struck by a Garda car. Ms Browne died at the scene.

The incident has been referred to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) due to the involvement of a Garda vehicle.

Fr Michael McCaughey of the Three Patrons' Parish in Galliagh visited Ms Browne's grief-stricken family on Sunday.

“No words any of us can say at this time can comfort the situation," Fr McCaughey said.

“It is just very sad to see the pain and the heartbreak and the silence. It is very daunting to hear a mother say her daughter went out on Saturday afternoon and hasn't come home.”

Ms Browne's body was removed from the scene on Sunday morning for a post mortem while a Garda forensic team carried out an examination of the scene.