WATCH: Limerick pays tribute to victims of Rwandan horrors on 25th anniversary

A survivor of the Rwandan genocide has praised the support given to her in Limerick on the 25th anniversary of her tragic loss.

Chantal Mutesi came to live in Ireland following the horrific attacks which took the life of her husband, four brothers, a sister and her mother, among other members of her family and friends.  Recalling her devastating experience of the genocide, she spoke of the pain which is still with her today, she said, “Memories don’t fade despite people saying time is a healer.”

Mayor of LImerick City and County Cllr James Collins attended a commemmoration and planted a tree at O’Brien Park in honour of the victims of the atrocity.

“We are here to mark the darkest period in your country’s history, one that your nation is thankfully putting behind it, in no small part thanks to the response and intervention from the likes of Bóthar, whom we are very proud of in Limerick,” he said at the event, hosted by aid agency Bóthar, whose work is ongoing in Rwanda.

Chantal’s compatriot Egwyge Roussard was also present at the time of the genocides, which saw one million people killed in an area the size of Munster in only 100 days.

“I left Rwanda when I was five but it's my home country,” said Egwyge, “and I have family there and I also lost some members of my family.  I'm really glad to see how she Irish and Limerick people are dedicated to remember what happened in Rwanda.”

Chantal had a special word of thanks for Bóthar, its supporters and the wider Irish public. “Really thank you for everything you have done for us for the families who are now able to send kids to school,” she said.

Niamh Mulqueen, Bóthar’s chief operating officer, said that despite the agency’s 20-plus years of work in Rwanda, the stories of survivors still shock to the core.

 “When we hear the stories we've heard today it can actually stop in your tracks. It really makes you think how cruel life can be. However, I think an important message to take away from today is to show the positivity that is in Rwanda now 25 years later, the hope that they have.  I think the whole world could learn from them” she said.