The funeral of Gobnait Twomey took place in Co Cork this morning, December 16.
The 51-year-old was walking home from her uncle’s funeral in the early hours of Tuesday morning when she was struck by a car and killed.
She has been remembered as the “light” in her family at her funeral mass in St Finbarr and Ronan’s Church in Ballingeary, Co Cork.
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Family and friends of the late Gobnait gathered today at 11am to remember a “soft, strong, sincere, sometimes sensible but very often not” loved one.
During her eulogy, she was described as a “light”. Her sister, Caitriona, said: “A light in our village has been quenched. Gobnait was the light in our family. Adored daughter, sister, partner, aunt, sister-in-law, cousin and the most loyal friend you could ever ask for.”
She was described as being “full of fun, mischief and intelligence” and was interested in everything and everybody.
“She was a magnet towards where everybody gravitated. She was great craic and if she thought there was craic anywhere, she was there and if it wasn’t, she made it happen,” Caitriona said.
Gobnait graduated from UCD with a Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy last May and “was making her plans to embark on her new path”.
She was also heavily involved in local GAA.
Her sister said: “She was gifted with talented hands, which could play classical guitar, catch ball and also drew her to healing and physiotherapy.”
"Within her she held the very best parts of all of us. Family was everything to her. Anybody who didn't know her growing up wouldn't believe she was as quiet as a mouse and a real goody two shoes.
"But man did she make up for time. She was the greatest scamp who loved winding everybody up. Because she was young in her own head she perfected these skills on her nieces and nephews.
"She was only happen when they were up to high doh and she was merrily skipping out the door leaving us the parents pick up the chaos."
The family thanked members of the community as well as the emergency services who responded to the accident on Tuesday morning.
Gobnait was well-known in the local area but lived in Dublin, and was home to pay respects to her uncle Willie who passed away last Friday when the tragic accident happened.
She had attended a gathering at a pub in the village afterwards with her family. The incident occurred while she was walking home at around 1.10am.
A file is to be prepared for the DPP following the release without charge of a man in his forties arrested in connection with the death of Ms Twomey.
Gobnait is survived by her partner Jay, her parents Eibhlis and Johnny and her siblings Caitriona, Sean, Noel, Ninidh, Ronan, Cathal, Iarlaith and Ciaran. She was laid to rest at St Gobnait's Cemetery in Ballyvourney, Co Cork.
Meanwhile, a local man called Kieran Lucey pushed Eibhlis and Caitriona out of the way of serious harm on the evening of the collision. He had earlier that day attended the funeral of his father Seamus.
Mr Lucey sustained minor injuries in the incident. Caitriona Twomey thanked him from altar for the quick reflexes he displayed in assisting her and her mother on the night of the tragedy.
The driver of the car was in attendance at one of the funerals. His passengers did not sustain injuries in the incident.
The driver was arrested at the scene and taken to Bandon Garda Station in west Cork for questioning. He was subsequently released without charge. A file will be prepared for the DPP.
The area where the accident occurred was closed off to allow Garda Forensic Collision investigators to carry out an full examination at the scene. Diversions were put in place. Investigations are continuing.
Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact Macroom Garda Station on (026) 20590, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Following her requiem mass, Gobnait was taken to her final resting place of St Gobnait’s Cemetery in Ballyvourney.
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