On Tuesday morning, 30 September 2014, Srs Frances Duddy and Marie Donnelly were killed in a car accident as they travelled to the Dromantine Retreat and Conference Centre to attend a meeting. The accident took place just outside Newry, Count Down.
Both sisters had chalked up many years in teaching and had been active in parish, pastoral work since their ‘retirement’. Bishop Treanor, bishop of Down and Conor, said ‘over the years, these sisters have blessed the church with ministries ranging from healthcare, education, spiritual guidance and cross community and inter-faith dialogue’.
Only a few days before the accident, speaking at a function in Dublin, the President of Ireland, Michael D. O’Higgins paid tribute to the sisters of Mercy for their work in education and health both in Ireland and in the developing world.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Srs Frances and Marie and the Sisters of Mercy.
