Family issues statement on 'needless loss' of daughter

THE FAMILY of Michaela Davis, the 12-year-old girl killed in west Dublin at the weekend, has issued a statement about the “needless loss” of their daughter.

Michaela was “full of life” and very close to her mother Deirdre, father Brendan and brother Brendan, the statement read. “They were always there for one another.”

“This situation is not and never will be about the crime or the perpetrator – it’s about Michaela and the realisation of a parent’s worst fear to lose a child so full of life.

“Michaela had started her first day of secondary school on Thursday last. She was given her first homework which was due to be handed in tomorrow, never to be answered.”

The statement, which was issued by a relative of the dead girl’s father on behalf of the family, said the Davises had lived at the family home at The Village, Porterstown, for more than 16 years. “All Michaela’s friends are heartbroken at the moment and cannot get their heads around this tragedy, no more than the rest of the extended family and friends.

“This is a heart-wrenching situation,” it said, “the needless loss of a young child, the awful tragedy of a girl barely beginning life.”

St Mochta’s national school in Porterstown, which Michaela attended up to this summer, extended its sympathy to the Davis family.

“Michaela Davis was a pupil in sixth class in our school. She had just completed her primary education and had only last week just started her secondary education in her new school,” principal Terry Allen said in a statement.

“She was a lovely child who had so much to give and to live for. The thoughts and prayers of our whole school community at this very sad and upsetting time are with Michaela’s family, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy on their tragic loss.”

Michaela had attended her first day of secondary school at Luttrellstown Community College last Thursday. A short service in memory of Michaela was held in the school at lunchtime yesterday.