REACTION: The family and colleagues of Sister Philomena Lyons said yesterday that they forgave her killer and prayed for him.
Kealen Herron (21), from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, was jailed for life yesterday for the murder of the Cork-born nun in Ballybay in December 2001.
"Philomena would have forgiven Kealen Herron for this awful crime, which he must now deal with," her family and colleagues said in a statement.
"We also forgive him and pray that he can reconcile whatever it was that led him to this terrible deed."
The statement was read outside the Central Criminal Court by Sister Brigid Browne, Provincial of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
It was issued jointly by the order, by Sister Philomena's sister, Mrs Philomena Rowe, and her family, and by Sister Philomena's relatives - the McCarthy and Lyons families.
"On this day, we also want to acknowledge how dreadful this tragedy has been for the entire Herron family, and we will keep you in our prayers at this most difficult time for all of you," Sister Brigid Browne said.
She said that Sister Philomena's family and friends wanted to say how difficult the "dreadful and unnecessary" death had been for everyone.
"She was a friend, a colleague and a teacher who was dedicated to her own family and to the work of her congregation," Sister Brigid said.
"She was a wonderful person and we miss her terribly. The circumstances of her tragic death devastated all of us who were privileged to experience her gentle, caring and helpful nature."
Sister Philomena would be "fondly remembered" in the prayers of her family and religious colleagues.
Sister Brigid also thanked the gardaí, the clergy and the people of Ballybay for their support.
Ballybay was shocked by the killing, which occurred in daylight in the grounds of the Sacred Heart Convent.
Sister Philomena was a well-known figure in the town, having taught in St Brigid's national school there for some 35 years.
Sister Philomena was born Christina Lyons in December 1932. She followed her aunt, Sister Columba McSweeney, into the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart when she was 18.
She retired 2½ years before her death, but was still "hugely energetic", according to friends.
She was involved in a local prayer group and the parish ministry and spent a lot of time with patients in St Joseph's nursing home.
