The funeral has taken place of the Connors family, five of whom died in the Carrickmines fire.
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27-year-old Thomas Connors, 25-year-old Sylvia Connors and three of their children, five-year-old Jim, two-year-old Christy and five-month-old Mary, were among the victims.
The funeral cortege will now make its way to Wexford, stopping at the site of the fire on the Glenamuck road, and the family will be laid to rest tomorrow.
Two of Thomas and Sylvia Connors’ other children survived the fire.
“Shock waves, from the devastation of the deceased and injured, to the bereaved Connors, Lynch, and Gilbert families, to the local Travellers and neighbours, to the wider Traveller community, to the whole wider Irish nation, and on to many countries around the world”. Willie’s brother Jimmy Lynch (39) was also laid to rest following that ceremony.
Bishop Ray Field represented Archbishop Diarmuid Martin at today’s requiem mass, which was celebrated by Derek Farrell of the Parish of the Travelling People.
“When someone dies who has reached a great age, we say that they have taken a great portion of history with them”, he said.
The funerals of 25-year-old Willie Lynch; 27-year-old Tara Gilbert, who was pregnant; their daughters, nine-year-old Jodie and four-year-old Kelsey; and Willie’s brother, 39-year-old Jimmy Lynch, were held on Tuesday.
On the other side of Wexford Bridge, coastal traffic on the R741 will be diverted at Castlebridge to the N11 via Crossabeg to Kyle Cross and then left towards Wexford, either turning left at the Ferrycarrig or at the Maldron Hotel into the town centre.
“They never seemed to fall out or have any serious argument”.
They were followed by their young parents Thomas and Sylvia Connors both aged 27.
Sylvia, he said, “in the words of her mother-in-law Jojo, was “the best girl you could ask for”.
“Before marrying Thomas, Sylvia took very good care of her now late ailing mother, Mary”.
Fr Farrell praised a widespread instinctive outpouring of support for the families, describing it as a “watershed moment” in relations between Travellers and the settled community. Her husband and her children were her life. “When Baby Mary came, she was much treasured by the whole family”.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin, Government chief whip Paul Kehoe were among mourners along with Senator Michael D’Arcy and Mayor of Wexford Ger Carthy.
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Friends and relatives of the young family gathered this morning for prayers in the Church of the Assumption on Bride Street in Wexford town ahead of their burial.
