Sister of Limerick’s Scarlett Faulkner promises ‘justice’ for their ‘sleeping beauty’, at funeral Mass

THE SUN broke through the clouds as the clip-clopping sound of the hooves of four white horses drawing a traditional carriage with Scarlett Faulkner’s coffin could be heard over the traffic on Thomond Bridge this Friday.

The ornate coffin was carried shoulder high by members of the Faulkner family into St Munchin’s Church for her funeral Mass.

It will be four weeks on Saturday since the 29-year-old mum from Longpavement in Limerick city was assaulted at the side of the road in Birdhill. Scarlett (pictured below) passed away last Monday after her life support machine in Cork University Hospital was turned off on Sunday due to the severity of her injuries.

At the end of the Mass, Victoria, one of Scarlett’s 10 sisters, addressed the congregation, saying she "cherished every memory that we shared together". 

“You were a character. You always made us laugh, no matter what room we were in. You made our bad days better,” said Victoria.

She said Scarlett gave “everything a mother could give” to her daughter Oceanna, who is aged six.

“We promise to show her all the pictures of you and her, making fun memories together. We will love you forever, our sleeping beauty. 

“From your 10 sisters and five brothers, and most importantly your beautiful daughter Oceanna, who you loved dearly, we promise you sister, we will get the justice you deserve,” said Victoria, to applause from the congregation.

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Giant floral arrangements were placed outside the church. and a pink carpet led the way for mourners. Photos of Scarlett with her nearest and dearest including daughter Oceanna were at the centre of many loveheart shaped creations by florists. 

One arrangement portrays items that were close to Scarlett’s heart including sunglasses, a can of Red Bull, designer shoes and bag, and perfume. A number of mourners wore lilac T-shirts with photos of Scarlett on the front.

Canon Dónal McNamara celebrated the Mass which was concelebrated by Fr Pat Seaver and Fr Pat Hogan.

“As we gather to celebrate this Mass, we do so in thanksgiving, thanksgiving to God for the life and love of Scarlett. I suppose in many ways, we are here to celebrate Scarlett’s life, her short yet good, happy, fulfilled life. 

“Inevitably today you will mourn the loss of a loved one, to do otherwise would be inhuman, but today, you mourn in thanksgiving for the loss of a loving mother, daughter, sister, relative, friend and neighbour,” said Canon McNamara, who spoke of peace in our hearts and peace with one another.

“You know, today, you also face something very difficult but never the less essential and that is the call to forgiveness. This does not mean ignoring what has happened, absolutely not. It does not mean denying pain or excusing wrong doing.

“Forgiveness is a journey, often long and difficult, but never the less it is a path that leads away from being consumed by anger and towards the freedom that God desires for each of us.

"In moments like this families can be torn apart or slowly healed. The choice is not easy. But if you allow God’s grace to work within you, even the deepest wounds can begin, little by little to mend,” said Canon McNamara.

At the end of the funeral Mass, Scarlett’s coffin was placed on the back of a flatbed lorry belonging to her late uncle John Faulkner for her final journey to Meelick Cemetery.

As the sun had shone before the Mass, rain drops now fell from the sky.

May Scarlett rest in peace.