It was with "heavy hearts" that over 1,000 people gathered at the funeral of a young west Dublin couple, Karen Power (28) and David Dunne (27), yesterday. The two died after attending a wedding in a Dublin hotel last weekend.
Parish priest Fr Joe Beere told the congregation at the Church of the Transfiguration in Bawnogue: "We can't and don't understand what has happened. We know how hard it is to understand death and even more so when it is the death of a young couple and more so when it is a tragic death."
The two died last Sunday morning. Mr Dunne woke in the couple's hotel room in Booterstown to find Ms Power dead in bed beside him.
He called the reception desk staff and told them of her death. Gardaí were called and they found Mr Dunne in another room. He then jumped from the sixth floor to his death. Gardaí are not releasing postmortem results but sources have said cocaine was found at the scene.
On a Saturday morning 12 days before yesterday's funeral the Power and Dunne families had gathered in the same church, said Fr Beere, for the christening of the couple's nine-week-old son, Callum David. Karen's son Joe (7), from a previous relationship and David's daughter Lauren (3) were at the funeral yesterday as were their parents, Ann and Pat Dunne and Dolly and Tony Power.
Joe Dunne, Mr Dunne's brother, said he was "the best brother you could wish for". He was a "caring partner" to Karen, and always considerate.
"A lot of people couldn't understand David. But that's because of the speed he spoke at," he said. "He never had a bad word to say about anyone. He never judged anyone. He was hard-working in his job and outside it."
In an emotional address he also thanked friends and family for their support. The two were described as "wonderful parents" and "committed to family and friends".
Fr Beere said the Power and the Dunne families played a "great role in this community". "They deserve our solidarity, our care and our love. They have been torn apart with grief and sorrow."
Mr Dunne's coffin was draped in the flag of his favourite team, Liverpool football club, while Ms Power's had several single red roses placed on top. A piper played Raglan Road as they were placed side by side in a single hearse. The two were buried in Newlands Cross cemetery.
