Words have been described as “inadequate” to comprehend the loss of life of a mother and son in Co Kerry, mourners were told on Monday.
The funerals of 56-year-old Eileen O’Sullivan and her 24- old-son Jamie, two of the three people found dead in their home in north Kerry almost two weeks ago, were held at St Michael’s Church Lixnaw.
The body of Mossie O’Sullivan (63), Eileen’s partner and father of Jamie, was found close to the house. A legally held firearm was found at his side. His funeral took place in the same church a week ago.
Gardaí are investigating the deaths as a suspected murder-suicide.
At the short ceremony for the mother and son, lasting less than 40 minutes, parish priest Father Anthony O’Sullivan said words seemed “inadequate to comprehend the tragic loss of life” that took place.
The priest said Ms O’Sullivan and her son Jamie were “kind and gentle and went about their lives with dignity”.
Ms O’Sullivan was described as a diligent worker and her son, who was a welder with Liebherr Container Cranes in Killarney, a skilled worker.
The mass was co-celebrated by Father Donal O’Connor, Chaplin at the Munster Technological College, Tralee, from where Jamie O’Sullivan was due to graduate next January.
A red Massey Ferguson tractor stood outside the Church, alongside a pristine, white modified 1997 Toyota, symbolising Jamie O’Sullivan’s love of cars and farm machinery.
His coffin was draped in the red and green of Crotta Hurling Club who also provided a guard of honour.
Around 200 people, mostly young men, stood outside the church with Jamie O’Sullivan’s colleagues from Liebherr Container Cranes wearing yellow arm bands.
Mother and son were buried at Kilfeighney Cemetery. The chief mourners included Eileen’s sisters who had travelled from the UK. - Additional reporting PA