Geraldine Mullan has called on families to ‘cherish every moment’ as she spoke of the grief of losing her beloved husband, son and daughter three years ago.

Today marks three years since John Mullan (49), Tomás (14) and Amelia (6) from Moville lost their lives following a tragic car accident. Geraldine was the sole survivor of the collision at Quigley’s Point on August 20th 2020.

“That fateful night of the 20th of August 2020 will forever be etched in my heart as my life changed in an instant,” Geraldine said.

“How life can change in a moment, we went from a family of four to a family of one.”

Speaking at a Novena ceremony at Knock Shrine this week, Geraldine spoke of faith, hope and love as the three tenets that she holds on to dearly to help her cope with her grief.

“For me, it’s a day at a time, sometimes hour by hour, and this weekend it’ll be moment to moment. But through it all, holding on to hope and never losing hope is crucial,” she said.

“Hope, a small word of just four letters but yet so powerful and a word I hold onto dearly. Every day I look for a little bit of hope. For me, losing everything left me bereft, fragile and broken but I made a promise to my beloved John, Tomás and Amelia the day I laid them to rest that I’d never lose hope.”

Geraldine said her loving husband and wonderful children are in her heart and always will be.

She spoke of how John showed her love each and every day.

“John was the love of my life, my best friend, my rock and my soulmate.”

Her two children, she said, gave her precious memories that she will forever cherish.

“I was so fortunate I had my beautiful son Tomás for 14 years and he showed me love each and every day. He was growing up to be an amazing young man, wise beyond his years, an awesome son and big brother.

“Our little ray of sunshine, the boss of our house, my darling daughter Amelia, filled my heart with love in her short six years. For those who knew her, she was a force to be reckoned with. Mischievous. A wee rascal. But so full of love in everything she did.

“The love each of them showed me made me the person that I am and the precious memories of our time together as a family are what I hold dearest in the days, weeks, months and years since our faithful night.”

Geraldine Mullan speaking at Friday’s Novena at Knock. Photo: Knock Shrine

Geraldine said she has also experienced love from her families, friends and neighbours in the wider community that have helped her every step of the way these past three years.

“My heart will forever be broken,” she said. “But with love, I’ll remember the precious memories and we’ll give back to the community that has propped me up when I needed it most.”

Geraldine established the Mullan Hope Centre in the aftermath of the tragedy as a way of giving back to her home community. The centre offers an inclusive space for people to gather and hosts regular markets and fundraisers.

Speaking of faith in her life, Geraldine shared her firm belief that ‘life ends but love does not’ and that she will be reunited with her family once more.

“I don’t have the answers, nor will I ever…. But I firmly believe that heaven gained three angels on the night of 20th August 2020. I believe that the garden of heaven is being tended by my darling husband John and our beautiful children Tomás and Amelia have earned their angel wings.”

Her final words on Friday were: “Please cherish every moment, Please tell the ones you love you love them. Please hug and kiss your children tight and never lose hope.”