Karen’s family look to ‘guiding star in heaven’

NEXT Tuesday was to be one of the proudest days of their lives — attending the graduation of their eldest daughter as a doctor.

Instead, Karen Guinee’s heartbroken parents were yesterday surrounded by grieving family and friends, including Karen’s younger sisters, Laura and Julie, as they laid her to rest.

The 23-year-old NUI Galway medical student was due to graduate on Tuesday and start training as a GP within weeks.

But her body was found in an apartment in Galway on Monday morning. She had been strangled.

Hundreds of mourners packed the Church of the Incarnation in Frankfield, Cork, to bid farewell during an emotional Requiem Mass for the pretty young doctor from Grange.

NUI Galway was represented by its president, Professor Iggy Ó Muircheartaigh, the dean of medicine, Dr Phillip Carney, and student union president, Paddy Reilly.

Dozens of Karen’s classmates also travelled to attend. Chief celebrant, Fr Robert Brophy, said their presence had brought great strength and consolation to the Guinee family.

He was joined on the altar by Fr Diarmuid Hogan, chaplain at NUI Galway, family friend Fr Jim Killeen, and parish priest Fr Dan Crowley. Bishop John Buckley sympathised with the family afterwards.

Fr Brophy spoke of the moment on Monday that himself and a garda had to break the news of Karen’s murder to her family.

“Julie was due to leave national school and was looking forward to secondary school,” he said.

“Laura had just heard the good news that she had passed her second year exams in nursing.

“What devastating news to bring to a family — that their daughter had died in such a cruel, mindless and insane way. The means of her death were such a contradiction to Karen.

“She was such a charitable person who only saw the good in people ... The world was her oyster.”

“Karen had made all the family so proud. Next Tuesday, her parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts were going to join her for her graduation at UCG.

“Karen, as usual, was wondering what all the fuss was about. As she said to her dad: ‘Sure it’s only a degree’.

The Prayers of the Faithful were read by Julie and Laura, and by Karen’s cousins Katie and Aisling.

Mourners wept openly as Julie read three self-penned poems paying tribute to her big sister — describing Karen as her “guiding star in heaven”.

Julie’s classmates from St Columba’s school performed during the Mass.

Gifts brought to the altar included a stethoscope and a book of piano sheet music reflecting Karen’s interests. She was buried afterwards in St Michael’s cemetery in Blackrock.

Patrick Hogan, aged 25, from Galway, who was charged with Karen’s murder and who was remanded in custody, is due to appear in court at Harristown, Castlerea this morning.