Woman killed in Rathkeale hit-and-run was ‘so well liked’, funeral told

David Raleigh

A woman who was killed in an alleged dangerous driving incident in Co Limerick last week was “so well liked” and “full of wonder”, her funeral has heard.

Marguerita O’Rourke, née Sheridan, from a well-known Traveller family in Rathkeale, died after a van hit a set of gates she was standing beside on December 21st.

A 42-year old man is charged with dangerous driving causing Ms O’Rourke’s death, as well as a number of other charges arising from the day in question.

Up to 1,000 mourners attended Ms O’Rourke’s funeral mass, held at St Mary’s Church in Rathkeale.

Family friend Fr Liam Enright said: “I spoke about Marguerita, I knew her since she was a young child here, she was the heart and soul of her family, full of divilment, full of wonder.

“She loved, as all the girls here love, to get the hair and make-up done, and then she fell in love,” he said. “When she met her husband Denis, they were like Romeo and Juliet, they just loved each other, she saw no one else except him.”

Fr Enright said the loving couple “were married here last year, and a month ago yesterday, they welcomed baby Edward into their lives.

“And, so, a month after Edward was born, Marguerita was brought to this church. Everyone loved her, she was so well liked, her family are well-liked, well-got, and she had an amazing smile and personality,” Fr Enright said.

“We pray that her son will know about his mum from the love that he receives from all those around him, who will nurture him.”

Fr Enright said the Sheridan and O’Rourke families had received condolences from “so many people from all over Ireland and beyond, in America and England.

“They have sent messages of support, to watch over baby Edward and Denis, and her parents and siblings,” said Fr Enright.

Friends of the deceased wore shirts with Ms O’Rourke’s picture. A life-sized portrait photograph of the deceased and her husband stood at the end of a white carpet at the main entrance to the church.

A white coloured Mendyka glass panelled carriage, led by two black Friesian horses and eight white shire horses, carried Ms O’Rourke’s remains from the church to St Joseph’s Cemetery, Rathkeale.

Love Story by US country-pop star Taylor Swift, and The World’s Greatest by US rapper R Kelly, were played from a sound system as Ms O’Rourke’s remains left the church.