THE funeral mass of five victims of the Carrickmines fire tragedy has taken place this afternoon in Ireland.
Willy Lynch, 25, and his 27-year-old partner, Tara Gilbert were laid to rest in Bray, Co. Wicklow, with their young children Jodie and Kelsey.
Ms Gilbert was four months pregnant with the couple’s third child.
Mr Lynch’s brother, 39-year-old Jimmy Lynch, was also laid to rest.
Tara Gilbert with her daughter Kelsey. Picture via FacebookThomas Connors, 27, Sylvia Connors, 25, and Sylvia’s children Jim, 5, Christy, 2, and five-month-old Mary died after the blaze broke out.
The Connors lived on the Carrickmines halting site while the Lynch and Gilbert family were visiting from their home in Bray.
The large funeral was attended by many of the Traveller community from across Ireland, who came to sympathise.
Pope Francis sent a message from the Vatican to be read out at the funeral today at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer on Bray’s main street.
“The Holy Father prays especially for those who have died, and he wishes to assure all their family members, their friends, and the whole Traveller community, of his spiritual closeness and sympathy at this very difficult time,” it read.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in the church by Father Derek Farrell, Parish Priest of the Parish of the Travelling People.
Both an Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Michael D Higgins were represented at the funerals by their aide de camp.
The family were buried in Springfield Cemetery, Killarney Road, Bray after the service.
Meanwhile, the funeral Mass for the Connors will take place in their native Wexford on Thursday.
Their remains will be brought to the Church of the Assumption, Bride Street, Wexford town for 11.30am on Thursday morning.
They will be buried in Crosstown Cemetery.
The coffins are carried into the church. Picture: RollingNews.ie