Funeral of murdered Donegal woman

Farewells were said yesterday to Ms Dolores McCrea, the 35-year-old Donegal mother of four whose badly burned skeletal remains…

Farewells were said yesterday to Ms Dolores McCrea, the 35-year-old Donegal mother of four whose badly burned skeletal remains were discovered in a field on January 22nd last.

A packed St Brigid's church in Ballintra held the funeral service.

In the course of his homily, parish priest, Fr Daniel McBrearty, spoke of the tragic events of January last, which had "changed the whole community."

He said, "However, there is a sense of closure in that the family now have a grave."

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Ms McCrea's four daughters, Sharon (18), Laura (14), Tanya (6) and Leona (4) and her parents, Mr Jimmy and Ms Kathleen McGroary, were among the many mourners. Rev Brian Russell of the Church of Ireland, to which Ms McCrea had converted following her marriage, spoke of the deep love which had been extended to the four girls in the aftermath of their mother's death.

"Their teachers are to be thanked for the compassion and sensitivity which they have showed to the girls. They have been comforted by both churches, which is very important," he said.

The coffin was carried to the adjoining graveyard by members of the McGroary family.

Her remains were discovered on the site of a substantial blaze to the rear of the former family home at Ballybulgan, Ballintra. They were taken to the UK for detailed forensic examination.

Ms McCrea had been travelling to nearby Donegal Town to take part in a ladies darts match on the evening of her disappearance on January 20th last.

Ms McCrea's estranged husband, Mr Gary McCrea (39), has been charged with her murder.