THE BODY of a Limerick woman killed in a hit-and-run incident in Rome arrived into Cork airport last night.
Elizabeth Gubbins (27) was returning to her hotel with her friend Mary Clare Collins (28) from Co Kildare after celebrating St Patrick's Day when they were both knocked down and killed by an alleged drunk driver.
The driver of the Mercedes, Friedrich Vernarelli (32), has been charged with drink-driving and manslaughter.
Elizabeth's father, her brother and her four sisters travelled to Rome this week.
"It's at least a consolation that they were able to visit the scene themselves, that will always be of help to them," said Elizabeth's uncle, Canon Willie Fitzmaurice.
Fr Fitzmaurice will say his niece's funeral Mass next week.
Her family accompanied her body back to Lisnagry in Co Limerick. Ms Gubbins's removal will take place at 4.30pm on Easter Monday from Meehan's funeral home in Castleconnell. Funeral Mass will take place in Castleconnell Church at 11.30am on Tuesday with burial afterwards in Kilmurray Cemetery in Castletroy.
The family has asked that no flowers be brought to the funeral.