Mother of girls slain by father thanks community for support

THE mother of two little girls who died at the hands of their mentally-ill father has expressed her deep gratitude to those who supported her in the year since their tragic deaths.

Úna Butler, mother of 6-year-old Zoe and Ella, aged 2, said in a first anniversary memorial notice in the Irish Examiner, that she had been shown overwhelming support and kindness “at the most devastating and tragic time”.

Ms Butler, 41, lost her two children, as well as her husband John Butler, who took his own life in the wake of his children’s deaths at their home in Ballybraher, Ballycotton, on November 16, 2010.