Mourners told they are 'God’s toughest soldiers' at Clondalkin fire victims' funeral

Latest: Huge crowds gathered today to pay their respects to the mother and children who died in the tragic fire in Clondalkin last week.

Update 12.50pm: Huge crowds gathered today to pay their respects to the mother and children who died in the tragic fire in Clondalkin last week.

Five coffins passed through the doors of St Anne's Church in Shankill.

27-year-old Annemarie O'Brien who was pregnant, her daughter Paris, and their cousins Holly and Jordan were laid to rest in Springfield Cemetery.

Update 11.30am:The funeral mass of those killed in last week's Clondalkin fire is underway.

Balloons of cartoon characters including Peppa Pig and Minnie Mouse lined a pew as five coffins made their way into the church.

The body of 27-year-old Annemarie O'Brien was followed by 4 white coffins.

One for her daughter Paris, others for her cousins Holly and Jordan, and a final coffin for Annemarie's unborn baby AJ.

In his homily, Fr John O'Connor praised the courage of those left behind.

“Pope Francis tells us that God chooses his best soldiers for the toughest battles, and I believe these words are really applicable to you.

“Without any doubt you are God’s toughest soldiers.”

Earlier: A funeral service will take place today for the mother and children who died in the tragic fire in Clondalkin in Dublin last week.

27-year-old Annemarie O'Brien who was pregnant, her daughter Paris and their cousins Holly and Jordan will be laid to rest in Bray after 10am requiem mass in Shankill.

Annmarie and her daughter Paris.

Holly and Jordan's mother, Biddy O'Brien remains critically ill in hospital.

Hundreds of people turned out for a prayer service for the family in Bray County Wicklow yesterday, not far from where Annemarie grew up.

Speaking afterwards, Fr Paul O’Driscoll said it is a nightmare experience for the family.

"The emotion is very deep. They kind of get themselves together and then they're in floods of tears again or you know, words are very inadequate."

A neighbour's child after placing flowers and teddy bears at the scene of an apartment fire in Cluainin Cronan on Kilcronan Ave.