Twelve-year-old girl to be buried today

The family and friends of 12-year-old Michaela Davis will gather for her funeral mass later today.

Her body was discovered in undergrowth along the Royal Canal in Clonsilla in West Dublin at the weekend.

Just a week ago Michaela Davis's parents saw their daughter start her first day at secondary school.

Today Brendan and Deirdre Davis face the heartbreak of laying their daughter to rest.

They reported Michaela missing early last Saturday morning - hours later her body was found along the Royal Canal.

She will be laid to rest following funeral mass at St Mochta's church in Porterstown.

An 18-year-old - Jonathan Byrne of nearby Lohunda Downs in Clonsilla - has been charged with her murder.