Cobh couple to be buried together after separate funerals

Husband and wife Michael and Valerie Greaney, who died in tragic circumstances at their family home in Cobh in Co Cork on Sunday, are to be buried together following separate funeral masses over the coming days.

Mr Greaney (53), who took his own life following an attack on his wife (49) and eldest daughter Michelle (21), will be buried beside Ms Greaney in St Colman’s Cemetery in Cobh.

Ms Greaney will lie in repose at the mortuary at Cobh Hospital on Thursday from 5pm until 8pm and her remains will be received at St Colman's Cathedral on Friday morning when her funeral mass will take place at 11am with burial in St Colman's Cemetery afterwards.

Mr Greaney, a native of Ballyhea in North Cork, will lie in respose at Hawes Funeral Home in Charleville on Thursday from 5.30pm until 8pm before being brought back to Cobh to lie in repose at Cobh Hospital mortuary on Friday night.

Mr Greaney will be buried following a private funeral mass on Saturday and The Irish Times understands that he will be buried in St Colman’s Cemetery beside his wife and directly opposite the family home at O’Neill Place where the incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon.

The Irish Times understands that the couple’s eldest daughter, Michelle, who suffered a serious stab wound in the attack, is hoping to be given permission by doctors treating her at Cork University Hospital to attend the funerals of both her parents.

It's understood that Michelle, who recently graduated from University College Cork, is anxious to support her younger sister Sarah (16) following the deaths of their parents.

The Greaney family have stressed that both the funeral mass and burial of Mr Greaney are private. They have also requested that the media respect the privacy of the family at the funeral mass for their mother which will be celebrated by local curate, Fr Patrick O’Donoghue.