THERE WERE harrowing scenes at St Nicholas's Church in Westbury, Co Clare, yesterday as family, friends and classmates of Roman Vysochan (16), who was stabbed to death at the weekend, said their final farewells.
The small church, which is located deep in the large housing estate, was filled to overflowing forcing many mourners to remain outside for the ceremony.
Parish priest Fr John Daly spoke of the community spirit that had shone through following the tragedy. "We can see real grief, real sadness but, side by side with that there is a real sense of strong silent support; shoulder to shoulder people are standing together.
"Today we come to terms with the fact of how vulnerable our lives are and how vulnerable all life is and today on this senseless day it comes home to us how vulnerable we all are."
Roman's parents, Tatyana and Vitaliy were distraught throughout the funeral Mass and they had to be comforted by their remaining son, Oleg, as they sat at the front of the church.
Fr Daly told mourners that the death of Roman had had a devastating effect on both his family and everyone in the local community.
"Roman was a son, brother, friend and a very talented footballer. We come in great sadness. We come with broken hearts. The Lord is close to the broken hearts. We can see this in the stillest silence and support for Roman's family today. We come to terms with how vulnerable life is," he said. Roman was buried at Ballycannon Cemetery in Meelick, Co Clare.