THE father of tragic Seema Banu has died of a broken heart, her family have said.
The bodies of Seema Banu, 37, her daughter Asfira, 11, and son Faizan, 6, were discovered at their home in Llewellyn Court, Rathfarnham in South Dublin on October 28 last year.
Ms Banu’s husband Sameer Syed, 37, the father of both children, is due to go on trial next summer, charged with their murder.
With their first anniversary approaching, the family of Ms Banu spoke to this paper, and told how her father - Abdul Ghaffar sadly died earlier this year.
"Seema’s father passed away this year. He was heartbroken, he died from the stress of it all and the (court) case," a family member told this paper.
"We have full faith in the Irish public and in the Gardaí that we can get our justice," they added.
"We want to thank you all for supporting us in our bad times and for standing with us."
Ms Banu’s father Abdul and mum Qurishid-un-nisa told previously how they were "very, very sad" after they received the shocking news that their daughter and grandkids were found lifeless.
Remembering their beloved daughter, they said: "She was a very kind-hearted person. When she used to visit India she would spend time with everyone and stay in touch with everyone.
"She was bold, she has faced all the challenges in her life. She was like one of the main decision-makers for the family."
They added: "We have lost all three precious gems of our family. We are in shock and extreme pain for losing them."
"It’s been one year since they passed away, but the pain in our hearts has remained constant.
"We are going through a lot of pain by losing our precious gems of our family.
"Our hearts are not going to forget them till our last breath,” a cousin said.
Sameer Syed of Grosvenor Lodge, Rathmines, Dublin 6, is charged with murdering his wife and children, and is set to go on trial next June.
Ms Banu, who was from India, lived in the house in Llewellyn Court with her two children.
Their bodies were found after residents in the estate became concerned when the family hadn't been seen in several days and alerted the Gardaí.
