Woman who helped at Buncrana Pier tragedy to claim against McGrotty estate

By Ursula Duddy

Reporter

The family of victims of the Buncrana Pier tragedy said they have received a claim against the deceased’s estate from a woman who helped at the scene.

Sean McGrotty, 48, his sons, Mark, 12, and Evan, 8, along with the boys' grandmother, Ruth Daniels, 58, and their aunt, Jodie-Lee, 14, died on March 20, 2016.

The sole survivor of the accident was Mr McGrotty’s baby daughter, Rioghnach-Ann, who was only four-months-old at the time. She was saved by Davitt Walsh, who swam out to the jeep and rescued the baby before it went under water.

Stephanie Knox, who was Mr Walsh’s partner at that time, was also present at the scene alongside Francis Crawford and his wife, Kay.

Ms Knox (pictured below), who is a cardiac physiologist, helped warm the baby when she was brought to shore while awaiting the emergency services.

Just ahead of the second anniversary of the tragedy, the late Mr McGrotty’s 86-year-old father, Noel, received a legal letter from Ms Knox. She wishes to claim an undisclosed amount from the estate of his late son for loss of earnings and other matters.

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