Father mourns family at Dublin funeral

Prayers are being said this morning for four members of the family of a Dublin-based doctor who died in a house fire in Leicester in England last month.

The funeral of Shehnila Taufiq, 47, and their three teenage children, Zainab, Bilal and Jamil is taking place in Dublin this morning.

11am UPDATE: Dr Sattar spoke of his loss - describing himself as "a bird who had lost his wings", who was now alone.

His children had hoped to work in Ireland once they had finished their studies in England.

Dr Sattar thanked the gardaí, the Irish community, and also Irish Ferries, who helped transport the coffins from England overnight.

He said he was overwhelmed by the support both here and in Leicester where 7,000 held prayers for his family on Thursday evening.

He then led the congregation to Newcastle cemetery, where the four will be buried later this morning.

Dr Sattar, a prominent member of Ireland’s Muslim community, is well regarded for his work as a neurosurgeon in Beaumont Hospital and with other clinics.

Eight people have been charged in connection with the deaths of the four family members, who died in the blaze at their home in Wood Hill, Leicester, on September 13.

It is feared the family’s property was targeted by mistake in a revenge attack following a fatal assault in nearby Kent Street.