The remains of three generations of one family who drowned off the Wexford coast on Sunday were brought to church in New Ross yesterday evening. Earlier, a fourth victim of the tragedy was removed to his local church and yesterday morning a fifth victim was buried near Enniscorthy.
Shortly after 5 p.m. three coffins were carried into the century-old parish church for the removal ceremony of respected undertaker Mr Jim Cooney (60), his son-in-law Mr Seamus Doyle (33) and grandson Mark Doyle (13). Just two hours later thousands congregated at the nearby Church of the Assumption in Rosbercon, on the other side of the River Barrow, for the receiving of the remains of Mr John Cullen (44), who also died in the tragedy.
An air of stunned silence engulfed the almost 3,000 people gathered at the parish church as the coffins of Jim Cooney, as well as Seamus and Mark Doyle, were borne to the altar by grief-stricken relatives and friends. The varying sizes of the coffins reflected the devastatingly cruel loss of three generations of one family.
Mr Cooney's widow Frances and his daughter Rita were cradled by loved ones as they made their way to the front of the church. Thousands of people of all ages sat in their pews, tears streaming from their eyes.
The inadequacy of words was emphasised by New Ross curate Father Matt Boggan, who spoke of the terrible tragedy which had numbed New Ross and devastated countless families, particularly the Cooneys and Doyles. "Few of us have words that we can offer here tonight. It is only through our presence that we can show our support. Our presence may enable them to take one step at a time," he said.
Speaking about the unimaginable grief, especially that of Mrs Rita Doyle, who lost her father, husband and son in the tragedy, Father Boggan referred to the words of Jesus: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" It would be understandable, he said, if the families questioned if God had deserted them in light of their tragic, multiple loss.
He prayed they would find the strength to continue, stressing that the prayers and families of the entire community were with them.
Hunting colleagues from the Wexford Foxhounds accompanied the coffin of Mr John Cullen as it wound its way through Rosbercon to the Church of the Assumption. For more than 20 years, the Rosbercon man had been "whipper-in" of the Wexford Foxhounds.
In his homily to the packed congregation, Father Anthony O'Connor said the entire community was "entangled in a web of unbearable grief". Much healing was needed, and in time, a report would be released about the accident which would bring about measures to ensure this type of tragedy never happened again.
Quoting the words of Mrs Joan Wilson, who lost her daughter Marie in the Enniskillen bombing, Father O'Connor said when tragedy comes and things are against us, it is then there is a real opening for God's presence and order is made out of chaos.
The funeral Mass for Jim Cooney, Seamus Doyle and Mark Doyle will take place at 11 a.m. today at New Ross parish church, followed by burials in Terrerath and Cushinstown. John Cullen's funeral will take place at 2 p.m. today in Rosbercon.
Also yesterday the first of the five victims of last Sunday's drownings was buried yesterday after funeral Mass at St John the Baptist Church, Galbally, near Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Retired bus driver Mr Martin "Murt" Roche (67), from Coolafullaun, Galbally, was interred in the cemetery beside the church shortly after noon.
The limited seating capacity of St John the Baptist, at around 250, was tested to the full and many mourners waited outside as Mass was celebrated by Father Aidan Kavanagh, parish priest of Bree. Bishop Eamon Walsh said: "My prayer is that the terrible tragedy that overcame the Pisces may save the lives of others."
There was just one life jacket on board the boat when it foundered in relatively calm seas shortly before midday on Sunday.
Mr Roche is survived by his wife Mary Ellen, sons Oliver and Fintan, daughters Elaine Hughes, Eilish Ryan and Colette Steel.
Among the gifts brought to the altar during the service was the dead man's fishing rod, which he used while angling on the nearby River Boro.