A memorial service was conducted in the Netherlands last night for the three Irish men murdered by a Dutch drugs gang.
Father Sjaak de Boer told a gathering, including family members of one of the dead, Damien Monahan (24), from Ennis, Co Clare, that he could find no words to make sense of the killings.
"It is for me personally one of the most difficult things to do to say good-bye to the three young people," he said.
"We also want to promote life for young people that they may use the talents and opportunities that they have been given in the best possible way, that they enjoy their youth and make use of the opportunities that this country gives, in a responsible way." The service was held in a house in The Hague and was attended by members of the Irish community in the Netherlands. The bodies of the three men were found in an apartment in the seaside resort of Scheveningen last Saturday week.
Dutch police have linked the killings to the drugs trade, but the families of the men deny they had any involvement with organised crime. None of the three had criminals records in Ireland or the Netherlands.
Yesterday police confirmed that two of the bodies were those of brothers Vincent (29) and Morgan (21) Costello, from Barnlough, Bansha. The third man has been named unofficially as Damien Monahan.
As the names of the men were confirmed local people pledged their support for the Costello family.
Although people remain shocked in Bansha, a special community fund has been set up in the Bank of Ireland to help cover the costs of the funeral.
"Money is needed to bring the boys home. It is an expensive business," said the parish priest, Father Daniel Dwyer.
Another local man said the majority of people in Bansha would make a contribution to help with funeral expenses and transportation costs.
Commenting on local reaction to the deaths in the past few days, Father Dwyer said: "There is a basic feeling of sympathy for the Costello family."
It is expected that the bodies of the two will be transported from the Netherlands on Thursday.
Undertakers in Bansha confirmed that the brothers' removal will leave O'Heney's Funeral home at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday to Bansha Parish Church. Funeral Mass will follow on Friday at 11.30 a.m.