THE family and friends of murdered woman Ms Patricia Murphy gathered at her parish church on Home Farm Road yesterday evening to pay their respects to the young mother. She was 34.
Over 100 people attended the removal service in the Corpus Christi church near Ms Murphy's home on Griffith Avenue, Dublin. Father Joseph Whelan said the community was still deeply shocked and saddened by Ms Murphy's tragic death.
"If is difficult on an occasion like this to find words of comfort and consolation. But we must sow seeds of hope which in time may give us strength," he said. "We must start by turning to God who helps us to find light in our darkness."
Father Gerard Kenny, a former curate of Kilrush parish in Co Clare where Ms Murphy had lived until two years ago, said the family was "very, very upset and shocked" at the manner of her death.
Ms Murphy's mother, Brigid, and her sister, Chrissie, were comforted by their extended family during the service. Ms Murphy's husband, David, was supported by his father, Tony, and his sisters. Friends travelled from Co Clare by coach to attend the service.
Flowers from family friends and school friends of the Murphys' children lined the back of the church, among them a heart shaped wreath with red and white carnations from her husband with the simple message "Fondest memories, David". There was a pink and white wreath wife the word "mum" from her children Jamie (8), Aaron (6), David (3) and four month old Amy.
Ms Murphy was strangled last Monday and her body dumped near a skip at a building site close to her home. Gardai are still trying to piece together her final movements. She left her part time job at a B&B on Drumcondra Road at around 10.30 a.m. on Monday, saying she was going home.
She was reported missing by her husband at 1 a.m. on Tuesday. Her body was discovered by workmen on a building site at The Rise, 200 yards from her home, later that morning. Post mortem examination revealed that she had not been sexually assaulted although she was only partially clothed when found.