President Michael D Higgins embraced the husband of Urantsetseg Tserendorj as he attended a special Mass to mark the one year anniversary since she was fatally attacked.
The Mongolian mother-of-two, 48, was stabbed as she walked home from her work as an office cleaner in the IFSC in Dublin’s city centre on January 20 last year and she died in hospital two weeks later on February 3.
A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, has been charged with her murder and will face trial later this year.
The president was one of many mourners and other political figures who showed up to the memorial Mass for Ms Tserendorj that took place on Sunday at St Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street in Dublin.
After the service ended, the president was pictured hugging her grieving husband, Ulambayar Surenkho, at the altar of the church.
President Higgins said he attended the service as he wanted to indicate “solidarity” with her family and to show support for Ms Tserendorj’s 17-year-old daughter who is sitting the Leaving Cert this year.
The Mass was organised by the Mongolian-Irish community and drew a large attendance of people of many faiths.
Taking to Twitter, people praised the president for his act of support.
Former Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu, who was the mayor at the time of the attack, also attended the ceremony and wrote: “It was lovely to join Urantsetseg Tserendorj's family & many others for her anniversary mass. Good to see President Higgins represent the state.”
Ms Chu, a Green Party Councillor, also revealed that the family of Ms Tserendorj is hoping to organise a special walk for her on the evening of February 3, the anniversary of her death, and will release more details closer to the event.
One of the organisers of the memorial event, Gonchigkhand Byambaa, took to Twitter to thank the Irish people for their show of support for “our loving sister”.
She wrote: “A Mongolian community is overwhelmed by Irish people's solidarity today. Thank you so much for your support and love. Ulambayar's family and friends sending you all our gratitude. What a great turn up and what a fantastic way to remember our loving Urantsetseg. Thank you all.”
Another person who attended the anniversary wrote: “Been to the anniversary mass of #UrantsetsegTserendorj today. Feeling grateful to all these beautiful people, including the president Higgins, who came to show their love and support… this means a lot.”
Meanwhile another wrote: “So proud of our @PresidentIRL today, showing true leadership attending the ceremony. I'm hope this gave some comfort to Urantsetseg Tserendorj heartbroken husband, children, extended family & friends. May Urantsetseg rest in eternal peace.”
