Up to 2,000 people gathered yesterday evening at St Saviour's Church in Ballybeg, Waterford, for the removal of Bryan and Johanna O'Regan and their 21-month-old daughter Niamh.
All three died early on Monday morning following a fire at their housing estate home. Their children, Cian (10), Briana (7) and Aaron (5), escaped from the semi-detached house in Ardmore Terrace during the incident.
Around half of those at the service waited quietly outside the church in the evening sun. The remainder formed a procession behind the two hearses that carried the remains of the deceased.
Johanna O'Regan's remains were carried by her brothers, Michael, Paul, Thomas and Liam, along with nephews of the mother of four. She is also survived by her parents, William and Mary O'Keeffe.
Bryan O'Regan was carried by his father, Pat (Pa), along with uncles and a brother-in-law, while Niamh was removed to the church by her cousins. Mr O'Regan is survived by his mother Joan and sister Karen.
Among those who extended their sympathies to the families of the deceased were President Mary McAleese; the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Dr William Lee; and the Mayor of Waterford, Hilary Quinlan.
Fr Martin Crowe OP led the removal ceremony with the vicar general of the diocese of Waterford and Lismore, Mons Michael Olde, Fr Fergal Mac Eoinín and Fr Richard Walsh.
Fr Crowe said: "As a priest, I have officiated at many sad occasions but I can honestly say this is the saddest." However, there was "great consolation in the fact that so many people" turned out to pay their respects, he added. "This is a wonderful community and parish. Bryan, Johanna and Niamh brought joy to so many people and this is what we remember most."
A fund for the remaining O'Regan children has been opened at the Bank of Ireland in Lisduggan, Waterford. The O'Regan Children Fund account number is 40559976 and the sorting code is 906216.
