United in grief: Accused attends mother’s funeral

STANDING with his arms around his brother and sister, a man charged with killing his elderly mother earlier this week looked on as the 83-year-old was laid to rest in her native town.

Gerard Vollrath, aged 46, was charged on Tuesday night with the unlawful killing of his mother Vera Vollrath, who was found dead in her bed at the Killure Bridge Nursing Home in Co Waterford, early last Monday morning. He was freed on bail, with an independent surety of €5,000 provided by his sister Anna.

Mr Vollrath put his arms around his two siblings Anna and Paul at the Church of the Holy Cross in Tramore as they followed their mother’s coffin to the adjoining graveyard and watched as she was buried. They were joined by grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family members, friends and neighbours.