Tragedy devastates a tranquil existence

A LOVING mother whose mentally ill husband killed their two daughters before he committed suicide held back the tears as she tried to explain the impact the tragedy has had on her life.

Una Butler didn’t break down when she read out a heartfelt statement about her loss at yesterday’s inquest into their deaths, but anybody listening could sense the excruciating pain she was hiding.

The events on the morning of November 16, 2010, will be forever etched on her mind, and on those of all of the people living in the close-knit harbour village of Ballycotton, Co Cork.