MILLIE MARTIN, the Fermanagh toddler murdered last week has been buried near the church where she was christened exactly one year ago.
The 15-month old child died after a serious assault last week in which she suffered multiple injuries. She died in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in her mother’s arms and among a wide family circle after her life support was switched off.
Her funeral procession left the home of her grandparents where she had spent her one and only birthday in September.
About 100 mourners joined her mother Rachel in the cortege on a half-hour walk along the quiet country road in Ardess to the old church in the parish of Magheraculmoney near the village of Kesh.
Canon Eric McGirr welcomed the mourners to the small 14th-century church of St Mary and called on all those present to support the Martin family in their “tremendous loss and terrible shock”.
He reminded them that Christ had wept at the death of his friend Lazarus and said everyone could draw comfort that Millie was now in His presence.
“He is the comforter. He will see us through all difficulties. Death is not the end and can be faced without fear and guilt,” he said.
The lessons were read by two of Millie’s uncles, Peter and Matthew. They read from Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd” and from the New Testament, where Christ called the children to come to Him.
The sermon was given by the Rev Henry Blair who told the congregation that God shared in their sorrow.
“Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus,” he said. “Do not be afraid of your tears. Allow them to bring God’s comfort and healing. Come with happy faces to the place of prayer.
“God knows what it is like to lose a child,” he continued. “Take comfort from knowing that little Millie is with Jesus.” The Christian family was the only family that stayed together. “We will meet again.”
The Rev Blair said that the coming days would not be easy for the family and, turning to the wider community, he said: “They need your prayers, your strength and your comfort. Our God is the God of all comfort.”
Canon McGirr, in the final prayer, said the Martin family would draw support from the knowledge that Millie is now in the presence of Christ.
“We pray for those who mourn,” he said. “We especially pray for Rachel and ask that she will know your presence. Give her strength to face life in the days ahead.”
Naming the grandparents, great-grandparents and uncles, he prayed that God would be gentle with them in their grief.
The church was packed with mourners including Ulster Unionist Assembly member Tom Elliott.
The tiny white coffin was carried out for burial in the adjoining cemetery which has headstones dating from the 17th century and holds the remains of both Catholic and Protestant dead from the surrounding parish.