ABOUT 100 people gathered in Dublin for a candlelit vigil last night to mark the funeral of Roma teenager Marioara Rostas (18), which took place in Romania yesterday.
On a busy intersection on College Green yesterday, a spiral of candles illuminated a blown-up picture of the teenager as those present bowed their heads and shared a two-minute silence.
Ms Rostas’s body was discovered in a shallow grave in a mountainous area at Kippure, Co Wicklow, in January.
She had been shot and killed having been abducted while begging on Lombard Street East in Dublin on January 6th, 2008. She was held against her will and sexually abused before her death.
Those who attended last night’s vigil included members of the Roma community, gardaí from Pearse Street station who took part in the investigation, representatives of the Romanian embassy and members of the public.
George Dancea, co-ordinator with the Roma Support Group, said there was shock, anger and fear among the Roma community in Ireland following Ms Rostas’s death. “There is a big impact about this bad news about Marioara Rostas for all the Roma, especially the family.” He said many Roma families were now worried about the safety of their children.
Siobhán Curran of Pavee Point, who organised last night’s event, said the group wanted to give people the opportunity to show their support and solidarity with her family and the Roma community.