‘We have been cast into darkness by tragic deaths’

MORE than 300 people crowded into the small parish church in Tournafulla in a poignant tribute to stabbing victims Sarah Hines, 25, and her children Reece, 3, and Amy, five months.

The mourners at the funeral Mass were told the deaths had caused clouds of grief, loss, sadness, anger, confusion and pain.

They were cremated following the Mass in a private ceremony. Many of the mourners travelled from England.

Fr Willie O’Gorman, parish priest of Tournafulla, said: “We have been cast into darkness by the tragic deaths of Sarah and her children, Reece and Amy. While living here she was always noted to be quiet and pleasant, close to nature, walked a lot, loved her family, and above all Reece and Amy. She did all that was possible to rear them in the best way.”

Fr O’Gorman said the local community in Tournafulla and the wider community in west Limerick were with the bereaved family in this time of turmoil.

The mourners were led by Sarah’s mother, Abina, her father, Christopher, stepfather Peter Rolfe and seven brothers Chris, 23, Damien, 22, Jessie, 19, Josh, 14, Louis, 12, Ben, 11, and Adam, 7.

Reading a poem, Sarah’s brother, Josh said: “If tears could build a stairway, we would go to heaven and bring you home.”

Maria Dempsey, the mother of Alicia Brough, who was also stabbed to death in the same attack, clutched a red rose as she sat in the congregation with her husband Paul Dempsey.

They were accompanied by Alicia’s younger brother.

Family photos and other items, including Sarah’s red party dress, and some of the children’s toys were placed on a single coffin with the remains of Sarah and her children.

One note on the coffin had the message: “Goodbye my little play mate, Reece. Miss you, Clodagh.”

A poem on the coffin read: “They say there is a reason. They say time will heal. But neither time nor reason, Will change the way we feel.”

The concelebrants at the Mass included the Administrator of the Diocese of Limerick, Fr Tony Mullins, Canon Frank Duhig, Newcastle West, Canon Seamus Ambrose, Dromcollogher, and Fr John Duggan, Feoghanagh.

In a message to the family on behalf of the diocese, Fr Mullins said there was love in abundance in the community.

Fr Mullins said: “Love is stronger than anything else. It will help heal and, hopefully, it will help lift some of this terrible grief.”

Readings were given by Peter Rolfe and Blew O’Rourke, who was Reece’s godmother.

During the ceremony four candles were lit at the altar to remind of the light in the lives of Sarah, Reece, Amy and Alicia.