Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Updated 10.15pm
AROUND 1,000 MOURNERS filled a Co Kerry church yesterday evening for a special mass for a murdered mother and her daughter.
Fr Michael Fleming told TheJournal.ie that the Church of St James in Killorglin was “overflowing” with friends from the Kerry and Lithuanian communities, as well as many of Enrika’s school friends dressed in blue uniforms.
A friend of the family read aloud words written by Levita, a 12-year-old niece of 27-year-old Jolanta Lubiene at the mass. She described her aunt as a wonderful friend and mother and explained why she chose her as a sponsor for her Confirmation a few months ago.
Levita, who Fr Fleming said did “not feel up to” speaking at the mass, also spoke about her eight-year-old cousin who she described as her ‘best friend’.
“She was a little chatterbox who loved her school and her friends,” she said, according to the Irish Examiner. “She was as sweet as sugar and as bright as the sun.”
The Church of St James in Killorglin, Co Kerry where the mass was held last night. (Pic: Google Streetview)
The mass was organised by Enrika’s school friends, and “they sang just as they did for Enrika’s Holy Communion just a few short weeks ago” said Fr Fleming.
Also in attendance at the mass was Jolanta’s husband and Enrika’s father Marius Lubys who returned from Sweden. Her sister, Kristina and Kristina’s husband, Vaidas accompanied him.
Fr Fleming said many of Jolanta’s work friends also turned out to pay their respects to the mother-of-one who has been described as a person who was “well known and well liked” in the community.
A fund has been set up to help pay the €20,000 to repatriate the bodies of Jolanta and Enrika. Thirty-year-old Lubys said he wants his wife and daughter to be buried in their native Lithuania. He hopes he can raise the money as Jolanta’s father is very ill with liver cancer and is unable to travel.
The mother and daughter died after suffering stab wounds in an attack in their home on Saturday afternoon. Gardaí have launched a manhunt and have been scouring the area near the Kerry home to find a weapon or anything that could lead them to the killer.
Anyone with information on the double murder is asked to contact Killarney garda station 064 6671160, the Garda Confidential line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
people are so insensitive. This man has lost his wife and daughter. He has had to fly here from Sweden. presumably if the bodies have been released he has had to use the services of a funeral directors here in the first instance. The bodies are located in Kerry not in Dublin Airport. Coffins will be required as will transport to the airport. It’s most likely that they are not going tp be buried beside the airport in Lithuania so there will be transport at the other end too. then presumably, being a young family they will not already have purchased graves. Add to this the cost of him flying home with them and a funeral in Lithuania you can see how the costs add up.
You don’t expect to have to bury your wife and child at such young ages. He moved away for work to provide for his family. Don’t assume he’s just seeing this as a money making exercise.
Many people loose family members home & abroad in tragic circumstances every day and do not make public appeals for the funeral cost. Will you donate €5 for every strangers funeral?
You accused this man of scamming people. I merely offered about idea of all the elements of costs involved. No one is forcing anyone to donate. There is no shame in asking for help.
@”shaun”: yes I would donate if they had lost everything they hold dear in unnatural and horrific circumstances. Doesn’t matter if they said it would cost 100k. The fact that this man was working abroad and his wife was selling practically everything she owned, means that he does not have money to give the only loves in his life a proper goodbye. What kind of black heart do you have to be accusing a man of committing fraud when he has just lost everything?
Mark you are wasting your time and sense of decency on an idiot
Sandra, where exactly did I accuse the husband of anything? I merely queried the validity of the 20k estimate and that something about it was odd.
Shaun, your digging a hole for yourself. Stop and Show some respect.
Throw away the shovel, Shaun, and get back under your bridge! You make me ashamed to be living in the same country as you (assuming you do live in Ireland).
Has there been a verified account to donate money to repatriate this poor mans family?
funerals alone cost about 5-7k, so double that and we’re talking at least 10k for just the funeral, then add on the repatriation service. Frankly, I’m disgusted at your comment. Are you saying the Dad did this for a poxy €20k?
We have repatriated friends back to the Philippines, it doesn’t come cheap. 20 grand us about right. Body has to go to a funeral home, and go to a larger airport plus it cists much more to fly a dead body home, than to fly a live person. Why would he lie about the cost?
As morbid and controversial as it sounds, Shaun is correct – the most expensive repatriation costs possible would not add up to 20,000E (e.g. Australia to Ireland costs 17k). Repatriation to Lithuania should only cost ca. 5,000E.
It is indeed horrifying for those involved, and my heart goes out to anyone who has to endure such hardships in their life-time. This is just a discussion re. costs, not re. the character of the father and husband. No doubt the cost is, in fact, an exaggeration by the media to sensationalize a horrific story (what a surprise that would be).
It is also not “ignorant” to state a fact, might I add. I made no judgement upon the father.
Christina, thank you
@”shaun” you are a real sheep…
I doubt very much when that poor man was in the first stages of shock that he randomly plucked a figure of e20k from his head. He had obviously been advised it may cost up to that much. I cannot believe I am reading people taking issue with such a menial point in the grand scheme of things. I for one would give whatever I possibly could to this man if it meant easing what pain he must be feeling not to mention the rest of their families, in anyway.
The lack of empathy and compassion in some people really alarms me at times. I really hope my children are brought up with a more positive opinion and want to help people in their time of need than @shaun the sheep and whoever else like him.
I hope the money is raised and that this man can gain at least a little hope back in humanity after what he has had taken from him!
I looked up the cost of repatriation from England could find one from Ireland and it was £1.800 could it be so much more from Ireland ?
if you have to go looking for excuses not to be charitable, then don’t be charitable. Keep your money and hope you never need help.
Well said Mark. I know someone that died abroad and it cost 22,000 to get them home. My aunt died while on holiday and it cost 15,000 to fly her back.
A little girl was murdered here and her mother had to watch it, Then be murdered herself – last thing on anyone’s mind should be a scam… I think they have a little bit more on their minds than a few bob to be fair.
As Mark said- if u don’t want to donate don’t. But don’t waste your time looking for reasons not to – And certainly don’t comment vicious accusations against this poor family.
If it was your daughter/granddaughter/wife/sister etc would u be so quick to judge? I don’t think so!
Some of those comments make me ashamed to be Irish … Shame on ye.
Rip to both girls. Tragic story brought tears to my eyes.
In this case the goverment should foot the bill..just tragic event
Why should the govt foot the bill?
It’s not always about the money
We Mears repatriation, we can arrange the repatriation of both deceased back to Vilnius or Kaunas at cost of £4400 for both of them.
Our cost includes: local removal, local document, embalming, coffins, consulate fees and Air freight.
Our Email: international@mearsrepatriation.com
Ou contact number: 00442031377389
Our Website: http://www.mearsrepatriation.com
have your say