TWO YOUNG Irish women killed by a drunk driver while holidaying in Rome were the "innocent victims of wayward irresponsibility", a priest told mourners at a funeral yesterday.
However, in a spirit of Christianity, the priest who is uncle of one of the women, said the family appreciated the condolences of the father of the young man who is charged with their hit-and-run killing.
Canon Willie Fitzmaurice was speaking at the funeral Mass yesterday in Castleconnell Church, Co Limerick, of his niece Elizabeth Gubbins (27).
She was killed along with her friend Mary Collins (28) from Athy, Co Kildare, while celebrating St Patrick's weekend in the Italian capital.
The college friends were mown down at a pedestrian crossing by the driver of a Mercedes. The driver of the car, Italian national Friedrich Vernarelli (32), has since been charged with manslaughter, drink-driving and failing to stop at the scene.
Fr Fitzmaurice told mourners yesterday that the Gubbins family appreciated the expressions of condolences offered by Mr Vernarelli's father Roberto Vernarelli, a former police chief who ironically has been a long-time campaigner for increased road safety in Rome.
During his homily, Canon Fitmaurice recalled how Elizabeth and Mary had enjoyed a weekend away with two other friends in the Italian capital before tragedy struck, a week ago yesterday.
He recalled how the four friends had enjoyed the splendours of the ancient city of Rome, in particular the Vatican, and were getting ready to come home when "death's visitation came to two of them".
"Elizabeth and Mary were to be innocent victims of wayward irresponsibility, St Patrick's Day martyrs," Fr Fitzmaurice added.
"The graphic pictures have intensified the pain and loss of death, and the images will live with those who are closest to them for as long as they live."
Hundreds of mourners, including friends Sinéad and Jean, who were with their friends who died that tragic weekend, packed Castleconnell Church yesterday where the congregation was told about a "bright intelligent young woman" who was always in good form.
"Elizabeth was bright and intelligent and that was very much evident in her national school days, in Scoil Carmel secondary school as well as in her college days in UCD and in Trinity where she received a masters in biochemistry," Fr Fitzmaurice said.
"She will be a big loss in that field and in the company that she worked with in Tullamore."
The priest, who is a brother of Elizabeth's late mother Eileen, who died in 1997, also recalled yesterday how his niece loved outdoor pursuits.
"She competed in a triathlon last year and also became addicted to rowing as well as hill walking. She was very much fit for life, but no fit for death . . . She was quiet unassuming and always in good form," he added.
Niamh O'Connor, Ms Gubbins's friend, told mourners how Elizabeth and Mary, who was also killed in the same incident, were inseparable. The funeral of Mary Clare Collins was in Athy, Co Kildare at the weekend.
"Liz and Mary were full of fun. They were always together and I think they are probably together now," Ms O'Connor said.
Ms Gubbins is survived by her father Tom, brother David sisters, Ita, Lucy Marie and Helen. She was buried at Kilmurray cemetery in Castletroy.