The devastated mother of three children killed in their own home was comforted at the scene as hundreds gathered for a vigil.
Heartbroken Margaret “Twink” Cash McDonagh was seen leaning on mourners and in floods of tears as she was led away following a vigil. A massive crowd of neighbours and friends gathered on Rossfield Avenue in Tallaght, South Dublin, last night.
The family stood in front of a huge poster featuring pictures of the tragic children and a large floral display. Cards and well wishes were also left outside the property, the scene of a crime which has left the country in a state of shock.
Read more: Family and friends release balloons at vigil held in memory of Tallaght siblings
And shortly before 5.30pm, pink and blue balloons were released into the air. Music played and the crowd stood silent –remembering eight-year-old twins Christy and Chelsea Cawley and their sister Lisa Cash, who was 18.
Earlier in the day dozens of school children had arrived at the scene to place flowers as they paid their respects to the victims. Tributes poured out throughout yesterday as gardai continued to question a suspect over the killings.
As a suspect continued to be questioned, locals gathered in the streets, the church and in the schools the children had attended yesterday. Speaking outside St Aidan’s Church, parish priest Fr Bill O’Shaughnessy said he had opened the chapel to allow the community to grieve and cope with the loss.
He added: “I celebrated Mass here about 10.30am and only then the news started filtering through about what had happened. People started reacting in terms of the shock and dismay at such a violent and horrendous act that’s taken place here in such a small and tight-knit community.
"There’s no adequate amount of words that’s going to put people’s hearts and minds at rest at the moment. We opened up the church here this morning and have it open all day for the community to come in and say a prayer or light a candle.”
Fr O’Shaughnessy said the community was reeling from the loss – and he described what happened on Sunday as “evil”. He revealed: “A lot of parents came in here before school this morning and lit a candle. We are offering a bit of healing.
Read more: School expresses 'deep sadness' over loss of tragic twins in Tallaght
“On top of that it’s about offering a listening ear and indeed a shoulder to cry on. An act like this is unnatural. It really is unnatural and it’s an evil act and will have its lasting effects on peoples heart’s and minds for a time to come.”
Meanwhile, at St Aidan’s Community School, where Lisa did her Leaving Certificate, students were united in grief. Principal Kevin Shorthall described how students and staff were trying to come to terms with her shocking death.
He said: “The school is very calm this morning. It’s quiet. There’s a little bit of I suppose numbness and shock. We are just trying to keep things calm in the school today and let’s just try and do as much of the normal stuff as we can.”
Read more: Fundraiser launched to help family affected by Tallaght tragedy
Mr Shorthall also told how her teachers held the tragic teenager in the highest regard. He added: “I’ve been getting messages from all our staff on just telling me stories about her.
“How good of a student she was, how sincere she was, how calm she was, how quietly diligent she was and a lovely, lovely girl. She was very popular. A great big sister, a lovely person.”
And Mr Shorthall told how even though her class have graduated, a space was being made at the school for them to come and talk and grieve together. Meanwhile, authorities at St Aidan’s Senior National School, where the twins were due to start third class this week, asked for privacy as they try to come to terms with the tragedy.
Read more: Tragic Lisa Cash was a 'quiet' girl and 'a lovely big sister' who could always be trusted
Speaking from Cork last night, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “Can I take this opportunity to express my deepest sympathies to the families of Chelsea, Lisa and Christy, to their mother and to all of the family in terms of the terrible tragedy in Tallaght, which has left the nation shocked and very, very saddened.”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris also spoke yesterday – and pledged support for officers who attended the harrowing scene. He added:
“It’s one of the worst incidents that I’ve heard of or come across in my service.
“We have put in place appropriate support for them, but we’d also acknowledge very much the trauma visited on the local community in terms of the shock of this incident and the subsequent grief. And that can’t be underestimated either.
“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Rossfield Avenue in the early hours of Sunday morning, 12.30am. If they haven’t spoken to Garda already, they should contact my colleagues in Tallaght.”
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