Murdered Latvian mother of two Baiba Saulite was a courageous woman who overcame many difficulties and her murder was an evil attack on Irish society, a service in her memory heard last night, writes John Downes.
Ms Saulite (28) was shot dead as she stood in the hallway of her north Co Dublin home on November 19th.
At St Colmcille's Catholic church in Swords last night, local priest Fr John Ferris said everyone knew how important mothers were in the life of a family. Her surname Saulite meant "a little sun", he added.
"When a family is attacked and the mother killed a family is destroyed," Fr Ferris said. "It is an attack on the very basis of our society and it offends all of us. This is why the murder of Baiba Saulite has had such an enormous effect on all people of goodwill. Our solidarity and our perseverance will overcome the evil which dares to undermine what we hold most dear.
"She was a person who had many friends here and those who knew her well had great admiration and love for her. She was a true friend."
Last night's ecumenical ceremony of remembrance was addressed by RTÉ broadcaster Joe Duffy, who read a poem. Friends and neighbours laid up to 25 wreaths around a large lighted candle at the front of the altar.
The congregation included members of Ms Saulite's Lutheran faith, several young families from the local area, work colleagues, politicians, social workers, representatives of the Latvian embassy and several uniformed gardaí. Ms Saulite's body was due to be repatriated to Latvia by members of her family yesterday.
Crimestoppers, meanwhile, has offered a €10,000 reward for information on the murder. As part of this campaign, gardaí will this morning distribute leaflets on Main Street, Swords in English, Latvian, Arabic and Russian appealing for information.
(Additional reporting PA)