The funeral took place yesterday of 30-year-old Laois woman Aoife Phelan, who was found brutally murdered. The Daily Shift’s Nicole O’Connor reports…
Aoife Phelan
The funeral of murdered 30-year-old Aoife Phelan from Cashel, Ballyroan, Co Laois took place yesterday. The service took place in St Patrick’s Church in Ballyroan, Co. Laois at 2pm, not far from Ms Phelan’s family home.
Hundreds of mourners gathered to say their farewells and the village came to a standstill, as local businesses closed for the funeral. After the service Aoife Phelan was laid to rest in St Patrick’s cemetery. The service consisted of family members reading poems and sharing memories. Fr Gerard Ahern spoke of Aoife’s love of children. She was also a rugby supporter, a Chelsea fan and a talented artist, with a love of music.
A man was arrested on Monday evening in connection with her murder. The man arrested has been named as Robert Corbet (24) of Sheffield, Timahoe Road, Portlaois Co. Laois. He appeared before a special hearing at 11 am on Friday at Portlaoise District court. The hearing was brief and lasted about four minutes. Mr Corbet is now being held at Cloverhill Prison, where he is to receive psychiatric treatment on the request of his solicitor.
Hecklers shouted at Corbet as he was driven away from the court.
After the hearing yesterday Ms Phelan’s family issued a statement in which they thanked the local community for their support; “We would like to thank all the people who helped in searching for Aoife and who have been there for us, especially family members, neighbours, friends and the Ballyroan community.”
In the statement the family also acknowledged the efforts of the An Garda Siochana, who “worked tirelessly” in their efforts to find Ms Phelan.
Aoife Phelan went missing after leaving a friend’s house on Collier view, shortly after 8pm on October 25. The alarm was raised by Aoife’s employers after they realised she was not in her room. She worked as a live-in nanny for a couple with a young daughter in Portlaoise.
Since then concerned members of Aoife’s family and of the local community searched for the missing woman who was believed to be four months pregnant. The body of the missing nanny was discovered buried in a yard off Timahoe Road on Wednesday last shortly after 11 am.
Robert Corbet is due back at Portlaois District court on November 15 at 10.30am.
