A WEST CORK woman who died after a knife attack near her home brought ‘goodness and beauty to this world’ and was a ‘joy to be around’, her funeral mass heard.

BY OLIVIA KELLEHER

Mourners gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ballinlough on Tuesday for the funeral mass of Stella Gallagher, who hailed from Ballinspittle. Her husband Brian, who was also injured in the attack and underwent emergency surgery, was among the pallbearers who carried the coffin out of the church.

He attended the funeral along with the couple’s adult children Ciara, Conor and Mark.

Stella’s brother-in-law Alan Gallagher said a few words on Brian’s behalf, describing how she had had 30 wonderful years with her family.

‘When I asked them what some of their good memories of Stella were, they looked back at me and said they were all good,’ he said. ‘She was a joy to be around and great fun. She was game for anything and would go anywhere and have a good time.

‘And in her presence, you would too, even the cat would make a beeline for her, no matter who else was in the room, and jump up on her lap and start purring.’

Mr Gallagher emphasised how Stella loved meeting people and chatting with them, whether it was her relatives or someone she had just met. He said she had ‘an inbuilt generosity and was always doing things for others’.

‘When cooking for two people, she took enough for six,’ he said. ‘If you mentioned you had to go into town later, she’d get her car keys and offer to drop you in.’

Mr Gallagher also recalled the activities that made Stella ‘really light up with joy’ including singing, gardening and baking. The SHEP choir, of which Stella was a member, sang during the funeral.

‘We are so grateful to have shared our lives with this lovely person,’ said Alan. ‘We love you, Stella, and we always will.’

Monsignor Gearóid Dullea, co-parish priest in Ballinlough, told mourners that the ‘shocking death’ of Stella had left her loved ones and colleagues from her time in Eli Lilly ‘broken hearted’ and ‘bewildered’.

Offertory gifts included apples representing Stella’s love of gardening, sourdough signifying her enjoyment of baking, sheet music arising of her fondness for music and a gift box symbolising her generous and giving nature.

Monsignor Dullea celebrated the mass alongside Fr Gerard Dunne and Rev Alan Marley, both of whom were representing University College Cork. Taoiseach Micheál Martin was represented by his Aide de Camp, Commandant Joe Glennon.

David Gallagher, with an address at Shrewsbury Downs in Ballinlough, has been charged with the murder of his mother, and with assault causing harm to his father, on November 17th last.

Mr Gallagher (25) was remanded in custody following his court appearance last Wednesday. He appeared before Cork District Court by video link on Wednesday and the case was adjourned to December 10th for DPP directions.