‘Enrika: Sweet as sugar and bright as the sun’
The Church of St James in Killorglin, Co Kerry, was full to overflowing for a remembrance Mass for Jolanta Lubiene, 27, and her daughter, Enrika, 8, whose bodies were found at their home in the town on Sunday.
At the end of the Mass, a family friend went to the altar and read words penned by Levita, 12, a niece of Jolanta, describing her as a wonderful aunt, mother, sister, wife, and friend — a person who never stopped smiling.
Levita said Enrika had been her best friend, someone who had made her life complete. “She was a little chatterbox who loved her school and her friends,” said Levita. “She was as sweet as sugar and as bright as the sun.” The request for the Mass came from Scoil Mhuire, Killorglin, where Enrika was a second-class pupil.
Killorglin parish priest Fr Michael Fleming, the chief concelebrant, said the tragedy had stunned the parish and people further afield. He said it was difficult to believe what had happened and to come to terms with it.
The bereaved were in a desolate world of grief and it was impossible to understand their pain, said Fr Fleming, but they were bound with the people of Killorglin by the friendship of faith.
Enrika received her First Holy Communion on May 4, and many of her schoolmates were in the congregation in their blue uniforms. Also present were Jolanta’s husband, Marius Lubys; her sister, Kristina; and Kristina’s husband, Vaidas, who brought wreaths to the church.
Jolanta and Enrika’s remains are to be repatriated to Lithuania. A bank account to help with funeral expenses, estimated at about €20,000, has been opened under the name of Marius Lubys.
Donations can be made to the account, being facilitated by Killorglin St Vincent de Paul, at the AIB on Iveragh Rd, Killorglin, account number 03066036, sort code 936340.
As the murder investigation continues, gardaí are checking phonecalls and internet traffic involving Jolanta in the days leading up to her death.
Social media sites are being scrutinised in an effort to trace people she had been in contact with and any new friends she had made online.
Gardaí are also looking at the possibility a potential suspect could have left the country.
Contact has been made with Interpol and Lithuanian police.
The time of the murders has been assessed as between 2pm and 6pm on Saturday, and the killer may have been seen arriving at, or leaving, the scene.
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