There has been a “very real and deep sadness” within both the Traveller and settled community at the death of mother of three Jacqueline McDonagh (34), mourners at her funeral Mass were told yesterday.
Hundreds of people filled St Mary’s Church in Navan, Co Meath, to say farewell to the popular young woman 10 days after her death in Dundalk, Co Louth.
Her husband Michael (33) has been charged with her murder.
Fr Paddy Kelly told her children Chloe (14), Nikita (10) and Michael (5), and other family members including her in-laws: “What you have been through over the last 10 days must be the worst nightmare you can ever imagine . . .
“All we can do is just to be with you here through your pain and grief and hope our presence and our prayers will be some comfort and consolation to you at this sad time.”
“She adored you,” Fr Kelly told the children. “Michael, she called you her little lump of gold. She couldn’t do enough for you. She sacrificed herself completely for you. You were her pride and joy. She’d great plans for you and your future.
“Unfortunately you now are the ones most affected by her death and that is why it is so important that your future is catered for above all else and that it is filled with genuine love, security and happiness, and you know it will be. That is what Jacqueline would want of us and want us to pray for today.”
After requiem Mass she was buried in St Finian’s cemetery, Athboy Road, Navan.