The heartbroken uncle of the siblings who died in horrific circumstances at their home vowed to give them the “send-off they deserve”.
Martin McDonagh was yesterday helping to make final preparations for the wake and funeral of his two nieces and nephew.
Little twins Chelsea and Christy Cawley, eight, and their 18-year-old sister Lisa Cash will today lay in repose in Tallaght, South Dublin, before their bodies are brought to St Aidan’s Church this evening ahead of the funeral tomorrow morning.
READ MORE: Dad of slain Santana Cauley heartbroken for relatives killed in Tallaght tragedy
The siblings died in a shocking incident in the early hours of Sunday morning at their home in Rossfield Avenue, Brookfield. Speaking outside the scene yesterday, Martin told the Irish Mirror: “The funeral is going to be very big, thousands at it. Yeah, they’ll get the send off they deserve.
“For the three angels. They are angels and they go straight to heaven.”
Martin explained he “definitely never thought” he would be helping organise a funeral in such tragic circumstances.
But he and the family are now concentrating on helping the children’s mum Margaret “Twink” McDonagh get through her trauma.
He told us: “Margaret’s not eating or sleeping. She hasn’t talked or anything. She doesn’t know if she’s dreaming. But we’ll help her get through it no matter what. She needs everything she can get.
“You wouldn’t be able to put it into words.”
The children’s eldest sister Margaret flew home on a 23-hour flight from Australia once she heard the tragic news.
The 14-year-old brother of the tragic siblings was treated in hospital for injuries sustained in the alleged attack on Sunday.
The best friend of grieving mum Margaret and first cousin to little twins Chelsea and Christy also visited the scene yesterday. Winnie Collins told how she was talking to the little ones in the house recently.
She said: “I was just last week out here in Twink’s. And Christy came downstairs and he was like, ‘Who are you?’.
“He was just that cheeky fella. And I say, ‘Ah Christy it’s me your cousin Winnie and you’re trying to tell me you don’t know me.’
“And Chelsea walked down then and she was looking at me smiling. I went in and put the kettle on to make the tea and she came out and she got the teabags, sugar and the milk out.
“I made the tea and she wiped down the kitchen table.
“They were just beautiful kids, really beautiful. My heart’s broken.”
Winnie, who visited the scene along with a number of other of the children’s friends and relatives, said she has been beside grieving Margaret comforting her since last weekend.
And she told us: “There’s no words to it. Everybody is just numbed by it all. Nobody can talk. You’ll never get over something like this, how could you?
“We’ll just give them the best of the best send off, it’s what they deserve.”
On Wednesday night, locals supported devastated mum Margaret who attended a vigil in St Aidan’s church.
Speaking to the community, local priest Fr Bill O’Shaughnessy said: “Tonight is just about a simple and gentle bit of prayer to remember three beautiful young people – Chelsea, Christy and Lisa – and to pray for each other in heavy and dark times that have hit this community and really just to be there for each other.”
Gardai remained at the scene yesterday as South Dublin County Council carried out works on the house. A couch was also seen being removed into a van outside the property.
As the work went on, mourners continued to stop and pray at the scene.
The bodies are reposing at the Brian McElroy Funeral Home in Tallaght today from 2pm until 5pm.
Their remains will then be brought to St Aidan’s Church at 5.30pm. The funeral takes place at 10am before the bodies are brought to Bohernabreena Cemetery where the children will be laid to rest together.
This week the grieving family hailed people for their support.
In the funeral notice, they said: “The family would like to say a very special thanks to everyone for all their love and kindness over the past few days. Thank you all so much.”
The funeral will take place after the tragic siblings’ older brother Andy Cash was charged over their deaths.
The 24-year-old was before Dublin District Court on Monday night where it was heard he is accused of three counts of murder on Sunday, September 4.
Judge Patricia McNamara remanded him in custody until next Friday.
READ NEXT:
- Love Island stars a month on - breakups, cheating accusations and the couple proving everyone wrong
- Hurricane Danielle takes 'unexpected turn' as Irish weather forecast predicts if it will hit us
- Charlie Bird thanks strangers who comforted him in Dunnes Stores after 'awful crying moment'
- Dublin-based work syndicate collects big EuroMillions prize and lists spending plans
- Family of six reveal how they have saved €115,000 and holiday for free
Get breaking news to your inbox bysigning up to our newsletter
