Intense grief at removal of murder victim

THERE were scenes of intense grief last night at the removal of the young woman found murdered in Galway last weekend.

Karen Guinee’s body was brought to the Church of the Incarnation in Frankfield, Cork, just before 8pm. She is due to be buried after noon Mass today.

Her distraught parents, Gerard and Noreen, and her sisters Laura and Julie, were surrounded by close family and friends as the cortege arrived at the church.

The body of the 23-year-old from Douglas, who would have celebrated her 24th birthday on Sunday, was found in an apartment on Father Griffin Avenue in Galway on Monday.

Patrick Hogan, aged 25, of 12a Father Griffin Avenue, Galway, has been charged with her murder.

Her uncle, Michael, said Karen’s parents were totally devastated by the tragic loss of their daughter.

“She was to be conferred next Tuesday and was looking forward to a successful career in medicine, which her loving and caring personality was suited to.”

The former Christ the King secondary school student sat her Leaving Certificate in 2000 and was said by friends to have loved Galway.

Fr Robert Brophy, who comforted Karen’s parents after Douglas gardaí broke the news on Monday, said that they were totally distraught.

“She was a kind, intelligent and loving daughter,” he said.