Cork Indian community show support for family of Deepa Dinamani as man charged with murder
A vigil was held near the home of Deepa Dinamani this evening. Picture: Jim Coughlan
A vigil took place on Sunday night just metres from the house where Deepa Dinamani was found dead on Friday night.
Members of the Indian community gathered on the green area of Cardinal Court in Wilton at 8pm this evening, holding roses in tribute to the 38-year-old mother of one.
The vigil was being organised by the Cork Pravasi Malayali Association.
Vigil organiser Melba Siju said that the entire Indian community in Cork is “just in shock”.
“I have been here since 2007 and this is the first time we’ve seen something like this near to our home. We never expected this to happen,” she said.
“You see it in the papers, but when something like this happens near you, you suddenly realise that these things really do happen, and they can happen to you," Ms Siju said.
Nobody has recovered from the shock
She estimated that more than 150 people had attended the vigil outside the home of Deepa Dinamani, people who had assembled at “very short notice”.
“We just gathered to reach out to each other and to discuss can we do anything,” Melba said.
“We just gathered to reach out to each other and to discuss can we do anything,” Melba said, adding that Ms Dinamani’s child is “in really in a lonely place”. “We are there to support him if we can as a community.”
“But we have no clear picture in front of us. We don’t know the procedures as it is not a common death. We are not sure of what we can do just now.”
The death of Deepa Dinamani has been described as a "tragic loss of such a young life" by the county's Indian community.
The body of the 38-year-old was found in a house in Cardinal Court in Wilton after 10pm on Friday.
The dead woman's five-year-old son was not in the house when her body was discovered.
Ms Dinamani was a chartered accountant and worked for Alter Domus Fund Services in Cork Airport Business Park. She began work as a senior manager in the Cork office in April. She was a graduate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
In a statement on Sunday, the Cork Pravasi Malayali Association extended its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ms Dinamani on "the loss of such a young life".
"We understand that no words or action can fully alleviate the pain and sorrow they are experiencing, but please know that our community stands united in offering our support and assistance in any way we can."
The association said it is committed to working closely with the Indian embassy and the family members of Ms Dinamani to provide any necessary help and support.
It added: "Our association is dedicated to fostering a sense of unity and solidarity among the Indian community in Cork, and we are ready to lend our support in coordinating efforts, offering guidance, or providing any necessary resources to assist the family during this difficult period.
"We hope that our collective support will bring some comfort to the grieving family."
The Cork branch of the World Malayalee Council said it is working closely with Embassy officials following the death of Ms Dinamani.
In a statement, the organisation said the death has “sent shockwaves across Ireland”.
The statement added: “She was working as an accountant in a popular firm in Cork and was residing in Wilton. WMC Cork stands in solidarity and will support the family in anyway we can. Cork City Council and India in Ireland officials have sent condolences messages.”
Meanwhile, Women’s Aid said: “Our thoughts are with Deepa's family, friends and community.”
A technical examination of the scene was carried out on Saturday and door-to-door enquiries were conducted in the Cardinal Court area.
An autopsy was carried out on Ms Dinamani at Cork University Hospital on Saturday.
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