Funeral held for falling tree victim

A woman who was tragically killed by a falling tree exuded “sheer optimism and positivity” during her life, her husband said today.

Richard Collins said his wife Lynda had a radiant personality and an ability to make friends everywhere she went.

Mother-of-three Mrs Collins (45), from Booterstown, Co Dublin, died when gale-force winds caused a tree to fall on her as she crossed Waterloo Road in Dublin last Thursday.

She was the daughter of former Fine Gael chief whip and Dublin Lord Mayor Fergus O'Brien. Mr O’Brien was among the chief mourners along with his wife, Peggy.

Former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald and other past and present Fine Gael politicians - including Mary Banotti, Avril Doyle, Nora Owens and Sean Barrett - were also among the mourners, as was ESB chief executive Padraig McManus. Mrs Collins was an ESB employee.

The Church of St John the Baptist in Blackrock was filled to overflowing for the funeral mass.

Mr Collins said his wife had also been his best friend. Though the family were devastated by her death, he would look on "21 fabulously happy years" together.

They had met while working at KPMG and he was captivated by her "personality, confidence and genuine warmth".

She had been a real beauty as a student at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and had many admirers. "I fell in love with her straight away," he told the congregation.

He listed her many interests, which included English stately homes, gardening, literature, fashion and sport. He said she had an ability to do 100 lengths of a pool and long cycle rides without much bother.

She had taken excellent care of their youngest daughter Juliana (7), who had epilepsy, and knew as much as the experts did on how to treat her, he said.

The couple have two other children Georgia (14) and Robert (13).

Chief concelebrant Fr Laurence Collins, an uncle of Mr Collins, said the presence of so many people was a sign of “support and comfort” for the family. “We as Christians wonder and pause and ask questions,” he said. “Today we are wondering where God is in all this tragedy?” he asked.

Mrs Collins’ remain was buried afterwards at Shanganagh Cemetery.