First Irish funerals take place for victims of Berkeley tragedy

The 21-year-old student is one of six to have died in the tragedy last week.

Her funeral mass in Foxrock has been attended by hundreds – including Minister Heather Humphreys for the government, and the aides de camp for both the President and Taoiseach.

Eimear's remains will be accompanied by her parents Jim and Patricia and her brother Robert to Shanganagh Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest.

In his homily, Chief Celebrant Fr Paul Ward said the Walshes – and all families touched by the tragedy – can count on the support of their friends and the wider community.

“Many, many words have been written over the past week – Ireland has been united in grief and has reflected on the loss of a group of young, talented people, who represented abroad all that is good about us, the Irish” he said.

“This morning, Jim and Patricia are home with Eimear” he added.

Meanwhile hundreds of mourners are attending the funeral of Eoghan Culligan in Rathfarnham.

During the ceremony symbols of his life were brought to the altar including a sports jersey, his grandfathers watch, a Lord of the rings staff and ring.

Eoghan is survived by his parents Marie and Gerry and his brothers Andrew and Stephen

Fr Richard Olin from his former school St Mary's in Rathmines welcomed mourners to the church:

“We want in this funeral mass to celebrate what we consider to be an all too short a life for Eoghan” he said.

“But as we will hear a little later on, God doesn't always see it that way – and that long life isn't always about a long number of years, but what we put into it along the way”.

“And for sure we know that Cully put everything into it along the way” he added.