The bi-annual remembrance service for victims of homicide took place on the 12th September 2009 in St Saviour's church, Glentworth Street, Limerick. Over 350 people attended the very moving service, where they were welcome by members of AdVIC who organised the event .Prayers were read by Fr. Jim Donleavy Prior and Parish Priest and by Rev Jane Galbraith.

Organisers of the Memorial Service sharing lunch with Mary Robinson and Brian Kennedy

Guest speaker Dr Mary Robinson, former president, observed that it was fitting the bi-annual event, previously held in Cork and Dublin, should be held in Limerick. Unlike many in attendance, Dr Robinson said she was fortunate that she had not had the experience of losing a loved one to any form of homicide and she commended the bravery of all the families who had lived through that experience.

Please click here for a transcript of the Mary Robinson Address.

As on previous occasions Catherine Byrne on Vocals, Guitarist Breda Hammond and Trumpeter Shauna McCullough looked after the music. Guest Artist Brian Kennedy said he felt "very moved" by the tributes family members paid to their loved ones who died in a homicide and that he was honoured to attend the day. He began with beautiful rendition of Lament for Another Place, while You Raise Me Up concluded the emotional ceremony.

In her address, the former president of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights paid tribute to the families whose work will help lead to the creation of an inter-agency support group for families affected in the future.
She added “No one has the insights, the lived experience of coping which you have, so it is deeply impressive that you are prepared to share with others who will face similar loss in the future”

A lot of families bereaved by homicide contributed to the event, including Gemma Coleman, Aoife Mulvaney and Bill Maher who read out the names of 566 who have been murdered in Ireland over the past number of years.

As names were read out family members came to the altar to a light a candle in their loved one’s memory. 3 family representatives, Siobhan Weldon mother to Gavin Weldon, Mr. Geoghegan uncle to Shane Geoghegan and Mr. Bloc-Daude who represented the parents of Sophie Toscan Duplantier read some powerful and emotional contributions.

After the ceremony and under a fantastic blue sky and brilliant sunshine, dignitaries and public representatives joined family members outside the church in raising a single white carnation near Tait's clock, and it was said: "In the opening of the buds and rebirth of Spring, we remember them."

Refreshments were served in the nearby Best Western Pery’s hotel. It was an occasion for families to share their experiences. Many commented that they believed the day was of huge importance to those who have lost a loved one in such circumstances.
It is a beautiful day for people to be together in the one place, sharing the same feeling. It takes people out of their pain for a little while and makes them realize they're not alone.

AdVIC would like to thank all the people of Limerick who help them in organising the event, especially the Burke and Barry families, Father Donleavy for the use of his beautiful church and the staff of the Best Western Pery’s hotel who were brilliant at looking after us all day long.