Candles lit for two devastated communities
A congregation of more than 500, which included many parents and their young children, came to pray and reflect on the horrors and tragedies of recent days.
Canon Frank Duhig, parish priest of Newcastle West, said the lighting of candles at the commencement of the ceremony signified the pain the two communities were suffering for the four children and three adults who perished in Newcastle West and Ballycotton.
Canon Duhig said there was bewilderment, shock, helplessness and deep, deep sadness over the events of this week.
He said: “Death is always hard to accept, particularly the death of young people, which is much harder. All the people we remember here this evening were very young, some were only little children, one five months old.
“The pain and sadness we feel as a community is all the more severe as they died so tragically. We remember too, not too far from here in Ballycotton, the Butler family and their community are suffering similar pain and we remember them too.”
He said they were lighting candles to remember all the victims in Newcastle West and Ballycotton.
In the readings, prayers were offered for all who died and their families.
A prayer was also said for the man under arrest and his parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends.
One reading contained an extract from the Diary of Anne Frank: “I see the world being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever-approaching thunder, which will destroy us too. I can feel the suffering of millions, yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think it will all come right, that this cruelty will end, and peace and tranquility will return again.”
Leaving the church after the hour-long ceremony, pensioner Michael Hanlon, 74, who lives in Dromindeel, Newcastle West, said he had two grandchildren, 2 and 6.
He said: “I don’t have words to express my feelings. I don’t know how the families can come to terms with this. I don’t know what to say. I love children. I have one daughter and two grandchildren. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to them.”
THE family of a young woman murdered along with a young mother and her two toddlers last night described her as a kind and caring soul.
Alicia Brough, who would have turned 21 next week, was found lying dead beside her friend Sarah Hines on Tuesday afternoon – Ms Hines’ two children were found dead in the same house. Originally from Stoke in England, she was based in Rockchapel, Co Cork.
The brutal knife killings left the town of Newcastle West, Co Limerick, in total shock.
“We would just like to say, Alicia will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her,” the Broughs said in a statement.
“She was so special to us. She was a kind and caring soul, and always tried to help others along the way. She enjoyed music, laughter, and good conversation, and was never afraid to question things. We are so glad she lived her life to the full before she was taken so early.”
The Brough family said they were finalising funeral arrangements. They also expressed sympathy with everyone affected by the horrific murders.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of all those involved,” they said.
“This is such a shocking and trying time for all of us. God bless the souls of those we have lost, and give us strength to continue on with faith and trust. Thank you to friends, family, and the local community for all their support.”
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old man arrested over the murders was back in Garda custody last night after being treated at Cork University Hospital for injuries to his hand.
Gardaí said he arrived back to Henry St Garda Station just before 3pm. Questioning of the man, who was arrested by gardaí in a bar in Kilkee, Co Clare, within hours of the discoveries of the four bodies, was continuing last night.
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