Hundreds gathered in St Patrick's Church in Fermoy last night for the removals of the remains of Cork Institute of Technology students Cliona Magner and Wayne Roche.
The pair, who had been going out for a year, were found dead at a house in Bishopstown, Cork, on Valentine's night. Mr Roche (20) shot his girlfriend before turning the rifle on himself.
Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their last respects - among them students who huddled together in groups outside the packed church. The Magner and Roche families live just three miles from each other.
Cliona Magner's remains were scheduled to be brought from her home in Straw Hill, Fermoy, to the church at 6 p.m., with the Roche removal following 90 minutes later.
However, such was the outpouring of grief and the sheer number of visitors to the Magner and Roche homes that the first removal did not take place until shortly after 8 p.m. Cork Institute of Technology laid on special buses from the campus in Bishopstown to facilitate students who wished to attend the removal.
Ms Magner was a second-year mechanical engineering student while Mr Roche was in the first year of a catering degree.
A minute's silence was observed on campus at lunchtime yesterday as a mark of respect to the pair.
A Mass was held shortly afterwards on the campus.
The President of the Cork Institute of Technology Student Union, Mr Gearoid Hogan, addressed the couple's classmates yesterday morning.
He urged students to avail of the counselling services the college had made available.
Mr Hogan said the campus was much quieter than usual yesterday as students tried to come to terms with the tragedy.
"CIT is in a state of shock and grieving," he said.
Ms Magner, who was well known in equestrian circles as a talented showjumper, is survived by her parents Deirdre and Pat, sister Bronagh, brother Darragh and her grandparents.
Ms Magner will be buried today at Monanimy Cemetery, Kilavullen, Co Cork, following 2.30 p.m. requiem Mass.
Mr Roche is survived by his parents Pat and Margaret, who own a contract cleaning business, as well as his older brother John, and younger brothers Devin and Darren.
He will be laid to rest today at Kilcrumper New Cemetery in Co Cork following Mass at 11.30 a.m.