Girl's funeral told of need to protect childhood

WE NEED to protect our children’s childhood more than ever, mourners at the funeral of 12-year- old murder victim Michaela Davis were told yesterday.

Fr John Daly, parish priest of St Mochta’s Church in Porterstown, west Dublin, said the community needed the courage to provide the best society for young people.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of the schoolgirl from Porterstown, who was killed last Saturday. A man has been charged with her murder.

The small church was full and many mourners stood outside in the autumn sunshine and listened to the service through speakers.

Two rows of students in the scarlet and black uniform of Luttrellstown Community College, the secondary school Michaela had joined last week, formed a guard of honour as the white coffin passed between them.

It was carried from the church gate to its door by her father, Brendan Davis, her 16-year-old brother, also Brendan, and other relatives. Her mother Deirdre followed the coffin and was supported by a relative.

Children from St Mochta’s national school, her former primary school, provided music.

Friends who had moved on from St Mochta’s to other secondary schools in the area, such as Clonsilla Community College, Castleknock Community College and Mount Sackville, were also present.

The young people were tearful and appeared shocked and overwhelmed by the death of their friend.

Also there were local TDs Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan and Joan Burton (Labour), along with former lord mayor Eibhlín Byrne.

Friends and relations brought a series of gifts to the altar to place close to the coffin, including a photo of the girl in school uniform taken last week, a bar of chocolate and a little cat to mark her fondness for animals.

Fr Daly remarked, as a cuddly toy and an angel were brought to the altar, that “Michaela was 12, only a little girl”.

She had been christened at the church in white, he said, had made her Communion there and earlier this year had worn white for her Confirmation there.

“I know her Mum and Dad hoped and longed that the next time that Michaela came to this church dressed in white it would be for another celebration.”

He said she was full of chat, fun, energy and eagerness for life. She was not the teacher’s pet, but when she “entered the room she lit it up, such was the strength and energy that came from her”. She was very kind and generous.

She was also eager to grow up, “too eager at times”, Fr Daly said.

“She pushed the boundaries in many ways; she wanted to grow up so much and so quickly.”

He also spoke of forgiveness and said he prayed the family would have courage and find peace in their lives. He said the community needed courage too.

“Our children today are pushed and forced to grow up much quicker than we were; they have to contend with things at a much earlier age than we ever did,” he said.

“We need to protect their childhood more then ever, we need to provide the right environment to help them flourish and to fulfil their dreams.”

At the end of the funeral, Fr Daly passed on a message from the Daly family thanking friends, neighbours, local schools and the wider community for all the support they had been given since their daughter’s death.

On behalf of the family, Fr Daly also thanked gardaí for their “great care, courtesy, kindness and professionalism” and “for working tirelessly to bring Michaela home to her Mam and Dad”.

The schoolgirl’s coffin was carried out of the church by her uncles to the sound of Heal this Heartache, by her favourite band JLS.

She was buried in Clonsilla churchyard nearby.