Funeral march: Teenager stabbed to death in Killarney is buried:THE CHIEF celebrant at the funeral Mass for the Killarney teenager Stephen Lyne (17), who was knifed to death on his way home in the early hours of Thursday last, has warned that calls to bring in more Government rules and regulations would not change "the present culture".
This culture [of violent incidents] had even reached a town usually renowned for its hospitality.
“What will change it is our hearts, we need to change our hearts,” Fr Kevin McNamara, a curate in Killarney, Co Kerry, told the several hundred mourners who gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral yesterday.
A message of prayer and support had been received from the Kiely family of Castleknock, Dublin, who lost their daughter Rebekah (15) in 2006, Fr McNamara said.
Killarney was rarely touched by violence and this was “a challenging time” for the town, he continued.
“This is totally out of character with our parish, a parish associated with hospitality, celebration and welcoming visitors.”
He urged Killarney to take this as an opportunity to lead the way out of the incidents that has visited so many parts of Ireland.
“There is no point calling for Government rules and regulations. These will not suffice, these will not do.”
This was a good time in Ireland, too, where young people were exceptionally talented and gifted in computers and so on, the priest said, “but as adults we have to engage with them”.
He added that adults should advise young people about “acting justly, loving tenderly and walking humbly with their God”, as the prophet Micah had said.
“Please God we will never see this happening again. The cycle of life should be the other way around,” Fr McNamara said as Stephen’s parents, Denis and Lotte, removed the shroud as they prepared to carry their son’s coffin down the aisle.
There were readings and music during the service by Stephen’s family and friends, including a singing of Hail Mary in French by his maternal grandfather and uncle.
The Killarney Community College prepared a Mass booklet for the requiem Mass and his classmates, in full uniform, stood in an honour guard alongside staff from the school.
Gifts to the altar included an artwork he intended completing, an award he received from his school for organising a soccer tournament and a photograph of Stephen.
Stephen, a middle child, is survived by five siblings, his parents and grandparents.