The family, friends and work colleagues of Pauline Kilkenny who was murdered in her home outside Belcoo last week are still trying to come to terms with their loss.

The love and affection they held for the 59 year old woman was evident at the large turnout at her funal at St. Naile’s Church in Kinawley on Sunday. Hundreds of people came out to say one final goodbye to a woman who had endeared herself to everybody she met.

Pauline’s funeral came two days after 28-year-old Joseph Dolan appeared in court in Dungannon charged with her murder.

The much loved woman lived in Cornacully, six miles outside Belcoo but was originally from Kinawley. Pauline was the daughter of Vincent and Catherine, sister to Martina, Geraldine and Nuala. Concerns were raised when she did not turn up for work. Her body was found by her sister at her home last Tuesday.

Fr. Maurice McMorrow, Parish Priest of Kinawley-Killesher, who oonducted the funeral paid a glowing tribute to Pauline.

“She was an incredibly empathetic person, to both human beings and animals. She took in every stray and people gravitated towards her when they were experiencing difficulties in life,” he said.

Pauline’s family have kindly granted permission to cover the popular woman’s funeral in today’s newspaper as Fr. McMorrow remembers a person whose tragic death has had an impact on so many.

“In the homily I spoke of the Baptismal seal. Pauline was anointed as an instrument of God with oil and water. And her mode of operation in life was to be an instrument of good, and this was to be a recurring theme throughout her life and her tendency to be sympathetic towards people.”

Fr. McMorrow also paid tribute to the local community for their rallying support around Pauline’s family.

“The community really rallied around the family and were a great support to them through this time.

“Also the family circle were of a great support to each other and the family’s faith stood to them very strongly. The coming together of the community would have been a great help for the family.”

At the end of his homily, Fr. McMorrow spoke of the “broadmindedness” of the Brennan family.

“There was due to be a “mock wedding” held on Saturday evening at the same time as the removal of Pauline’s remains. But it was pushed back until 8pm.

“Pauline was involved in drama in the community when she was younger and it was the desire of the family for it to go ahead and I paid tribute to the family for their broadmindedness.

“It shows that the two co-exist - times of great sadness and times of great happiness and the complexity of life and how we face all of these challenges together.”

In a statement released by the PSNI last week, Pauline’s family said: “We would ask that our family’s privacy is respected during this difficult time as we come to terms with the devastating loss of our beautiful, vibrant daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Our time will be spent remembering Pauline for the incredible personality she was and feeling so grateful to have lived her life with her.

“We would like to thank the community for their love, support and continued co-operation with the police and their ongoing investigation.”