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'Captain, colleague, daughter, sister, mum, friend and hero' - Captain Dara Fitzpatrick is laid to rest

Her funeral mass took place at St Patrick’s Church in Glencullen in Dublin.

Updated 12.43pm 

PRESIDENT MICHAEL D. Higgins and Taoiseach Enda Kenny were among the mourners this morning’s funeral mass for Coast Guard pilot Captain Dara Fitzpatrick.

Mass was said this morning at St. Patrick’s Church, Glencullen, Dublin with Fr. Andrew O’ Sullivan describing Capt. Fitzpatrick’s death as “profoundly sad and sorrowful”.

“We are all here this morning to remember Dara and also to offer our support to the Fitzpatrick family. Through our presence here in such great numbers we are stating publicly that we too recognise the blessing that Dara was,” he said.

We are expressing gratitude to the Fitzpatrick family for moulding Dara into that wonderful young woman and mother that she was.  Over the last few days many stories have been told about Dara and how she was a wonderful colleague and friend and indeed of the incredible professionalism and bravery of those in the coastguard and in our emergency services.
“How these extraordinary people put their own lives at risk in order to save others – what bravery. And they truly are heroes.”

The priest’s homily also made reference to the pilot’s life and hobbies, speaking about her “goofy sense of humour” and love of horse-riding, cooking and hillwalking.

“She was kind to her core and a champion of the underdog. She was fiercely loyal and her family was of paramount importance to her,” Fr. O’ Sullivan told the mourners.

Several people including Dara Fitzpatrick’s sister Niamh have pointed out the the the south Dublin road leading to the  St. Patrick’s Church is the R116, the exact same number as the Rescue 116 helicopter that crashed with the loss of Fitzpatrick and three colleagues.

Those colleagues, who are still yet to be found were also remembered at today’s mass:

As we honour Dara today with the rites of Christian funeral we are also very mindful of Dara’s three crew members who have yet to be found, and we commend them to God and we keep them and their families foremost in our thoughts and prayers.

The 45-year-old pilot from Kilternan, Dublin died from injuries she sustained in a helicopter crash which happened off the coast of Blacksod, Mayo on Tuesday.

The family had asked that no flowers be brought to the church and that donations, if desired, should be given to the RNLI, Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue and The Donkey Sanctuary.

Following today’s mass, she will then be cremated at Mount Jerome in Harold’s Cross.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick The Coffin of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick leaving the church this morning. Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Tributes

Yesterday’s Saint Patrick’s Day from Archbishop Eamon Martin’s included a tribute to the late pilot.

He said: “In 2017, when we think of the treacherous journeys many migrants are forced to make, we are powerfully reminded of those who commit their lives to the protection of humanity. I especially bring to mind the bravery, commitment and dedication of the women and men of our own search and rescue services at home.  Our prayers are with the families of the crew of Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 116: Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, Mark Duffy, Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby.”

LR SEARCH SCENES  6211_90505572 Emergency services at the search scene. Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Chief Inspector with the Air Accident Investigation Unit Jurgen Whyte said investigators would now focus on trying to recover the beacon. He said it was hoped the missing crewmen would be found in the same area.

Tributes have been pouring in for the pilot and the three other missing crewmembers.

Speaking to RTÉ News, Dara’s father John said the situation is “horrendous” and “absolutely heartbreaking”, but that the family feels “tremendous pride” for Dara and the work she was doing.

Her mother Mary described her as “a good, kind Christian person” who was passionate about being in the Coast Guard and loved animals.

“She adopted a little boy almost three years ago and he was the absolute light of her life and the light of our lives  … We will bring Fionn up as Dara would have wanted.” Mary said.

Her sister Niamh said the situation is “a living nightmare” and they keep thinking Dara will wake up.

The family thanked the public, the Coast Guard and gardaí for all the support they have received. They said they are praying for the other victims’ families and hope Dara’s colleagues are found soon.

- With reporting by Rónan Duffy

Read: In ‘hostile conditions’, searchers find section of Coast Guard helicopter on Black Rock >

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21 Comments
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    Mute Veroníca
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    Mar 18th 2017, 7:01 AM

    Her family are so incredibly brave in this tragic time. Farewell Dara, angel, hero. May you rest in peace.

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    Mute Christine Downey
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    Mar 18th 2017, 1:09 PM

    Thank you Dara. Thank you Dara’s family. Thank you to all who risk their lives to save others.

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    Mute The Crant
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    Mar 18th 2017, 8:39 AM

    So sad

    245
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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Mar 18th 2017, 1:39 PM

    The word “hero” is bandied about to much, these people are heroes..

    222
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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Mar 18th 2017, 2:09 PM

    Commentators after saying on the BBC that England will all time heroes if they beat Ireland and break the record with 19 wins in a row. Heroes they said. What absolute bollocks. It people like Dara that are heroes not sportspeople. Rest in peace to you and the rest of the crew

    221
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    Mute Tony Hartigan
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    Mar 18th 2017, 1:24 PM

    Rest in peace our HERO.

    174
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    Mute Rodrigo Cunha
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    Mar 18th 2017, 2:13 PM

    FLY High Capt.

    133
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    Mute Red hurley
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    Mar 18th 2017, 1:44 PM

    Why is it always the good one s that are taken.
    R.i.p

    128
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    Mute Paul Connell
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    Mar 18th 2017, 3:45 PM

    RIP…. hope the family , friends and colleagues of this great woman find strength in the knowledge that everyone in Ireland is with them .
    Oldtown in North County Dublin is having a candlelight vigil for Ciaran Smith , our neighbour , and all the brave people that have been lost .

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    Mute Kieran OKeeffe
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    Mar 18th 2017, 3:32 PM

    I really hope the state is paying for the funeral,and that her dependents are properly looked after financially ..it’s the very least they deserve..hopefully her Co pilot and crew will be recovered soon, rip

    94
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    Mute Eoin
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    Mar 18th 2017, 4:02 PM

    Gave up her life for our safety . God bless her and her family . Rest in peace.

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    Mute whitecross
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    Mar 18th 2017, 4:55 PM

    Condolences to her family, friends and colleagues ,R.I.P. True heroes those that risked their lives to save others ,Shame on any government that penny pinches on equipment or other items or training to increase their safety .Major respect to those who head out in all weather to save lives and to the volunteers in all the different groups .

    52
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    Mute P1
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    Mar 18th 2017, 10:18 AM

    Can the funeral mass be watched on webcam ?

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    Mute Monika Rumpf
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    Mar 18th 2017, 6:41 PM

    Such a loss! She was single. She left behind an adopted little boy.

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    Mute brian magee
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    Mar 18th 2017, 8:22 PM

    @Monika Rumpf: no need to publish her relationship status or that of her child.

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    Mute stevie C
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    Mar 18th 2017, 9:30 PM

    True hero may she RIP.
    Feel so bad for her family esp her little boy

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    Mute JMac
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    Mar 19th 2017, 3:05 AM

    What a hero Dara was. She left her home at a moment’s notice to save lives. So tragic hers was cut short. How heartless and cowardly are those who add red thumbs to messages of sympathy, compared to the bravery of this beautiful, caring young woman. They should really look into their hearts if they have any.

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    Mute Mark Edwards
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    Mar 18th 2017, 6:15 PM

    A real hero and beautiful girl.
    Was she married?

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    Mute Rachel Didleu
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    Mar 18th 2017, 10:34 PM

    God has called Angel home…

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    Mute Monika Rumpf
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    Mar 18th 2017, 6:43 PM

    Such a loss! She was single, left behind and adopted little boy.

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    Mute Martin Daly
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    Mar 19th 2017, 7:47 AM

    Sadly missed. RIP

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