THE FUNERAL has taken place in Co Limerick of Sarah Hines and her two young children, who were all stabbed to death in an attack last week.
Ms Hines (25), her son Reece (3) and daughter Amy (5 months) shared a single coffin yesterday during a moving funeral Mass attended by more than 300 people.
Sarah’s parents Abina and Christopher and her stepfather Peter Rolfe sat at the top of the packed St Patrick’s Church in Tournafulla, Co Limerick. They were surrounded by the dead woman’s seven brothers Chris (23); Damian (22); Jesse (20); Joshua (14); Lewis (12), Ben (11) and Adam (7).
For the second time in four days Paul and Maria Dempsey, the parents of Alicia Brough, stood united in grief with the Hines family. Ms Brough (21), whose funeral Mass took place last Monday, was killed during the same incident.
A 31-year-old man is in custody charged with all four killings in Newcastle West, Co Limerick, on November 15th last.
The service was led by Fr Willie O’Gorman, who said there was a beautiful cake on the altar, which he hoped “Sarah and her two children are enjoying in a better place together”.
He said the entire west Limerick community was cast into darkness following last week’s tragic events. “We are gathered here today overshadowed by clouds of grief and loss, sadness and anger, confusion and pain.”
The mourners who travelled to the small west Limerick village heard Sarah Hines described as a “beautiful girl”.
The parish priest went on to say that in creating a place of happiness for her children in this life Sarah was preparing herself and her children for eternal happiness, “but nobody ever imagined it would be so soon”.
There was loud applause after Mr Rolfe read a poem written for the mother-of-two and her children. Her brother Joshua and godmother Blew O’Rourke also read poems at the Mass.
The remains of Ms Hines and her children will be cremated at a private service at the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, today.