The funeral of Ms Julie O'Keeffe (24), formerly of Ballinacurra and Raheen, Limerick, who died in a hostel fire at Childers, Queensland, Australia, on June 23rd, was held on Saturday.
Bishop Joseph Duffy of Clogher, a family relative who was principal concelebrant at the Requiem Mass at St Joseph's Church, Limerick, told the congregation there were "no easy answers to such a tragedy".
He said it was futile to speculate on what might have happened had Julie not gone to Australia. "It is much more important to remember that she was extremely happy in her last couple of weeks and had been in touch with home."
Mr Jack O'Keeffe, father of the deceased, said he was grateful to all the people who helped following the tragedy. These included the Irish Ambassador in Australia and the Irish and Australian authorities.
The President, Mrs McAleese, was represented at the Mass and burial at Mount St Lawrence Cemetery by Capt Pauline O'Connell.
The principal mourners were Ms O'Keeffe's parents, Jack and Eileen, brother David and sister Rachel.
It was one of two tragedies in Australia which has hit Limerick within a few weeks. Last week Ms Joanna McNamara, of Caherconlish, was one of four women, three of them Irish, who died in a car accident.