Scottish Catholic Observer

A number of Catholics are among the victims of yesterday’s tragic accident at George Square in Glasgow that claimed six lives, including three members of the one family, and injured many others.

Bramalea Celtic Club in Canada posted on social media this morning that : “It is with great shock and sadness we share with you our friend and past president Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine and granddaughter Erin were victims of today’s tragedy in Glasgow. Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of the Sweeney family.”

Jack and Lorraine Sweeney, aged 68 and 69, and their teenage granddaughter Erin McQuade, of Dumbarton, were among those who died when the bin lorry careered out of control yesterday into crowds of Christmas shoppers.

Three other females were also killed and 10 people injured in the accident that happened at 2.30pm yesterday when bin lorry mounted the pavement at George Square before crashing into the side of the Millennium Hotel next to Queen Street Train Station.

John Sweeney, a relative of Mr and Mrs Sweeney in Toronto, Canada, posted on Facebook that he was ‘feeling heartbroken.’

“No words can describe the pain,” he writes. “RIP Jack, Lorraine and Erin. Thoughts and prayers go out to the other families that lost loved ones as well.”

Another of the victims was has been named locally as Stephanie Tait, a primary school teacher.

Three bunches of flowers left were left at the gates of St Philomena’s Primary School, in Blackhill, Glasgow. One tribute read: “So sad, thinking of you and your family in our prayers. RIP Miss Tait.”

A memorial service was held in Glasgow this morning to pay tribute to the victims of yesterday’s crash. The service was held at St George’s Tron, near George Square where the accident took place, was led by the Rev Alastair Duncan.

“It’s been well said that people make Glasgow,” he said. “But yesterday, Glasgow lost some of her people, and others were terribly injured. Injured in circumstances more sudden and shocking than we could have imagined possible. Each death, each injury is a personal tragedy.”

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, who said his ‘heart broke’ upon hearing news of the George Square tragedy, will offer Mass  for the victims at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow at 1pm tomorrow, Christmas Eve.

Police Scotland is expected to release details of the victims once formal identification has taken place. An official statement said that appeared to be nothing ‘sinister’ about the crash and said it was still carrying out investigations at the scene.

The tragedy in Glasgow comes just over a year after the fatal Clutha Vaults Police helicopter crash on the eve of St Andrew’s Day 2013 and has once again left the city in mourning just before a major feast day.