Father Feargal McGrady told mourners at the funeral of Anne O’Neill, 51, on Tuesday that her death was a “double tragedy” and prayed “in a special way” for her son Declan, who is charged with her murder.
Ms O’Neill, a mother of two, died on Saturday October 22, following an alleged attack at her parents’ house in Ardmore Avenue, Finaghy, in the early hours of the morning.
She was discovered in the back garden with injuries.
Emergency crews tried to resuscitate her but were unable to save her and she died at the scene.
Declan O’Neill, 27, of Malone Avenue, was remanded in custody charged with her murder.
The doctor, who denies the charge, had been working as a locum at Belfast Trust hospitals.
He did not seek bail when he was charged with murder.
Family and friends of Ms O’Neill gathered for Requiem Mass in St Anne’s Church at Kingsway, Finaghy, on Tuesday morning.
In his homily Fr McGrady, the parish priest, told mourners: “As this is a double tragedy, we pray in a special way for Declan this morning.”
He said that everyone’s “hearts are breaking” for Ms O’Neill’s elderly parents Claire and George and all the family.
“It just seems too much. Too much also for Anne’s daughter Claire-Anne who is at the cliff-face of this double tragedy,” he said.
“I wish we could change it, Claire-Anne, but we all need to help you live for the future.
“We are all to some extent held captive in this world, imprisoned – we’ve made…
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