The brave father of three young children who died in tragic circumstances on Friday attended a special Mass to grieve with the local community.
Conor, nine, Darragh, seven, and Carla McGinley, three, were found dead at their home in Parsons Court in Newcastle village, Co Dublin on Friday evening, January 24.
Their bereft father Andrew McGinley joined the local community at St Finian's Church in Newcastle to mourn the youngsters at a morning Mass.
Local priest Father John Gilligan told the Irish Independent: “We were shocked he’d thought to come along but he wanted to thank the community and you could see how much he valued the community’s support.
“He was so helpless. Some of the dads were in tears.
"I’ve been a priest for a long time and I’ve seen some very sad losses but for a community to lose three children, it’s just unbelievable.”
Another Mass was held that afternoon with prayers said for the much-loved youngsters.
Siobhan Mhic Gerailt, principal of Scoil Chrónáin in Rathcoole where Conor and Darragh were pupils attended along with staff from the Happy Feet creche where Carla was enrolled.
Fr Gilligan said: “Families are really are struggling, the community, is struggling. I relayed the loss we all felt and made tribute to the families across our community.
“Mums and dads gathered round in the carpark after Mass, huddled round, supporting each other.
“During the Mass, I asked the children’s principal Siobhan, to say a few words. It’s so sad, she’s preparing to see the boys’ class friends, knowing the boys won’t be there."
Fr Gilligan added that a child psychologist will be providing support to pupils at Scoil Chronain.
“I asked the community to support each other. All the girls from the Happy Feet créche were here at church to remember Carla.
"They were relaying stories of Carla’s mum bringing her to créche every morning and how happy the little girl was.
“But they were all in bits. The community is rallying round but there’s a huge, dark cloud over us and all we could do was be there for each other but there is no language to express such a loss."
The parish of St Finian's have been contacted for a comment.
