Tragic youngsters will be laid to rest in same grave

THE tiny white coffins containing the remains of four-year-old Michaela Grace and her three year-old sister, Abbi, will be placed side by side in the same grave at around noon today in a cemetery a mile from their home.

Their final resting place to the front of St Alphonsus’ Church, Barntown, Co Wexford, will be at arm’s length from their doting mother, Sharon, whose remains will be lowered into the adjoining plot.

The heart-broken community of Barntown gathers this morning at 11am to pay their final respects to the grieving family. Many gathered yesterday for a 10am Mass of the Angels for the distraught family.

With so many unanswered questions, local priest, Fr Seán Gorman, says it’s going to be one of the toughest homilies of his life.

“We’re still numbed, shocked by the whole event. Naturally, everybody is very distraught and very, very distressed. Our prayers are now with the family at this terrible time,” Fr O’Gorman said.

The bodies of the 29-year-old mother of three and her two daughters were found face down in the waters of Kaats Strand, overlooking Wexford’s quays, on Sunday morning.

They were discovered by four fishermen repairing boats on the small, stony shoreline. Post mortems performed on bodies show that all three had died from drowning.

Gardaí say that they are not looking for anyone in connection with the deaths.

Chief among the mourners at today’s ceremony will be Sharon’s husband, Barry Grace, a base operator with Wexford Cabs.

Sharon’s eldest daughter, 11-year-old Amy, will also be there, along with her aunt Lillian and cousin Amber.

Sharon Grace is also survived by her parents, Eddie and Rose, and younger brother, Eddie Jnr.