FAMILY and friends of the murder victim Mrs Patricia Murphy gathered at Corpus Christi Church near her home in Dublin's Griffith Avenue yesterday to say farewell to the "vibrant" mother of four.
The parish priest, Father Erill O'Connor, said her tragic death had deeply affected the community. Just a few weeks ago she and her family had gathered in the same church for her daughter Jamie's first Holy Communion.
Mrs Murphy (34) would never again walk her children to school or be seen jogging around the avenue near her home, he said. Although we lived in an age of violence, Patricia's tragic death had shocked everyone, he added.
Mrs Murphy's husband David appeared stunned by the tragedy and sat motionless as the parish priest spoke of his "warm and personable" wife. She had been a "vibrant mother," he said, adding that the community had particular sympathy for her four young children.
Mrs Murphy's elderly mother, Mrs Bridget Behan, was inconsolable as she was led from the church by her son in law and his father, Tony. Forty friends had travelled from her native Kilrush for the funeral Mass. They placed wreaths along the treelined drive up to the church.
There was a heart shaped wreath with red and white carnations and the simple message, "Fondest Memory", from her husband. A pink and white wreath with the word "Mum" from her four children - Jamie (8), Aaron (5), David (3) and four month old Amy - lay alongside.
At the graveside in Glasnevin Cemetery, Father O'Connor thanked neighbours for looking after Mrs Murphy's children since her murder last Monday. He appealed to them to continue supporting the family over the difficult weeks and months ahead.