A book about Elvis, football gloves and a teddy bear were among the gifts brought to the altar during the funeral mass of three siblings who died in a violent attack at their home in Tallaght last weekend.
Hundreds of mourners gathered for the service at St Aidan’s Church in Brookfield, Tallaght.
The three white coffins of eight-year-old twins Christy and Chelsea Cawley and their 18-year-old sister Lisa Cash were placed in front of the altar.
Large photographs in heart-shaped frames with floral decorations have been placed inside the chapel alongside poems, pictures and teddy bears in their memory.
The mass was celebrated by Fr Paul O’Driscoll, who is the chaplain to the Parish of the Travelling People.
A collection of books about Elvis were brought to the altar to represent Lisa’s love of his music, along with a book on driving lessons to remember her efforts to pass her driving test.
Christy’s football gloves were also brought to the altar, along with a cushion and teddy bear to remember Chelsea.
In his homily, Fr O’Driscoll paid tribute to the siblings’ brother, who was in the house at the time of the attack. He said the 14-year-old’s bravery and strength to raise the alarm and go and get help was an inspiration to courage and love.
Fr O’Driscoll also spoke of the impact a crisis has on people and their community.
He said in such a crisis the event is unexpected, the people and community are unprepared and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it happening.
“When the unexpected happens during a communal crisis, we are not alone,” Fr O’Driscoll said.
“We are friends and neighbours and we all experience the same break in reality. Bereft of words, all of us hold the same question. How could this be happening?”
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