Family of Scarlett Faulkner pay tribute to her with vigil of flowers and photographs

David Raleigh

Family and friends of Scarlett Faulkner paid tribute to her on Thursday with a stunning pink and purple coloured vigil of flowers and photographs.

Mourners paid their respects at the 29-year-old Limerick mother’s removal, held at Cross’s Funeral Home, Limerick City, where loved ones erected life-sized gold coloured framed images of the mother-of-one.

Faulkner died last Monday from injuries she suffered in an alleged iron-bar attack on the side of a road in Co Tipperary, on March 21st last.

Faulkner’s family had to make the heartbreaking decision to allow doctors to remove her from life support at Cork University Hospital, last Sunday.

Large heart-shaped floral tributes with photographs of Faulkner and closest family members were erected outside Cross’s funeral home today.

The massive shrine included messages from Ms Faulkner’s “loving” sisters, Victoria, Barbara, Margaret, Mary, Lisa, Pamela, Kathleen, Nora, Louise; as well as her “loving” brothers, Martin Anthony, Stephen, Jason, and Thomas.

A heart-shaped tribute containing a photograph of Ms Faulkner and her six-year old daughter Oceanna, included the poignant inscription: “Love u mommy, ur diamond eyes daughter Oceanna”.

Another read: “From ur love of ur life Pa.”

Pink rose petals made up further floral tributes, which read “Mommy” and “Daughter”.

A large canvass containing pictures of symbols of Ms Faulkner’s life was also placed outside the funeral home, which included Louis Vuitton heels and handbags, perfume, and a can of Redbull.

A number of female mourners wore purple t-shirts, including a photograph of Ms Faulkner, which read “RIP Scarlett”.

Photographs of the deceased were also placed on the windows of cars of mourners who attended the reposing of Faulkner’s remains.

Faulkner’s family, neighbours and friends released balloons into the air in her memory at her family home at Longpavement Halting site, last Wednesday.

As Faulkner’s family prepared to bury the mother of one on Friday, her sister, Victoria Faulkner, on behalf of their father, asked people to keep the peace at her wake and funeral.

“My father asked me to pass on a message, that if anyone is fighting, any crowds that is coming to the funeral and are not getting on with each other, can ye please just pass each other for the sake of Scarlett and the day that’s in it,” said Faulkner.

“We have had the hardest here weeks of our lives, and look, we are suffering as it is with the loss of Scarlett, god love her and her lovely soul.”

“But, any families that is fighting, please I beg of you, just pass each other for the day that’s in it.”

In a video posted online, Victoria Faulkner appealed to mourners not to consume alcohol around her sister’s funeral.

“Lads, no alcohol to be allowed, no drink whatsoever. Drink cannot be allowed near any of the funeral or wakes,” she said.

“Please, lads, we don’t want any trouble, no trouble at all at all, at the funeral. Thanks very much.”

A post-mortem examination was conducted on Ms Faulkner’s remains this week, however Gardaí did not release details of the autopsy.

Garda investigations into her alleged assault and subsequent death are continuing.

A 16-year-old girl is currently before the courts accused of carrying out the attack.

Gardaí alleged in court that the girl, who cannot be named because of a judge’s order, had struck Ms Faulkner eleven times with an iron bar, after allegedly chasing her along the hard shoulder of the R494, outside Birdhill village, north county Tipperary.

A 40-year old woman, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged before the courts with endangerment and violent disorder and burglary. Gardai alleged in court that the accused woman rammed a van, that Ms Faulkner and a man were travelling in, moments prior to the alleged attack.

Ms Faulkner’s funeral mass takes place at St Munchin’s Church, at 11am Friday, followed by burial at Meelick Cemetery, south east Clare.