The President, Mrs McAleese, yesterday sent a message of condolence to the family of Ms Nicola Sweeney, who was murdered in her home in Cork on Saturday night.
News of the President's message was given to a packed and emotional congregation at a funeral Mass in the little church of St James in the seaside village of Glenbeigh, Co Kerry.
Father Charles Owen CP, from the parish of Highgate in London, a friend of the family before they moved to Cork several years ago, was chief celebrant, along with six other priests.
Father Owen had known Nicola since she was five years old, he said. He spoke of her modesty, her sensitivity, her insatiable quest for knowledge, her deep sincerity, her love of animals and her "delightful sense of humour".
A great music lover and a fan of Michael Jackson, Ms Sweeney had persuaded the classical music-loving priest to her way of thinking, Father Owen recalled, and he too was now a Jackson fan.
The Sweeney family returned to Ireland, to Cork and to Underwood, "a house Nicola chose and loved", he said. "I don't know why God has allowed such a tragedy to happen to such a wonderful family. Only God has the answer."
He cautioned against giving way to despair and he spoke of the hope of a less violent society.
"We must not give way to despair. Her life has not been in vain. We must have hope, hope for a less violent world."
Ms Sweeney's baby clothes, her first pair of shoes, an early colouring book and her violin - symbolising her love of music - were among the offertory gifts brought to the altar by her friends and family.
"Our beautiful daughter is gone forever. Nicola was our pride and joy for 20 short years. She lit up our lives in so many ways . . . goodbye our beautiful daughter, " Mr John Sweeney told the congregation at the end of the funeral Mass.
Seán Sweeney (17), the murdered girl's younger brother, also said goodbye publicly to "his big sister".
Solo hymns and popular songs were sung by Ms Marion O'Neill from Caherciveen and by Mr Gerard Reilly, a former employee of the Sweeney family in London, who travelled from Co Mayo.
Among the mourners with Nicola's family, her father John, mother Josephine, brothers Seán and Christopher (4), were staff of the Archway Tavern in London, a business premises owned by the family.
A prayer was said for the recovery of Ms Sinéad O'Leary, who was injured in the attack. Her parents and friends were present.
Guards of honour were provided by girls from Scoil Mhuire in Cork and from the CBS college, Cork. Ms Sweeney was buried at Churchtown cemetery in Beaufort, near Killarney.