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There were heartbreaking scenes as Longford bid a tear-jerked farewell to the tragic New York murder victim
They were the heartrending words which echoed around the hushed surrounds of St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford town this morning as mourners paid their final respects to the 41-year-old barely a week since her murder in a New York bar sent shockwaves through communities on both sides of the Atlantic.
The much cherished and admired bartender was fatally stabbed inside the doors of the Ceili House Pub in Queens on March 30, an establishment she had been a deeply respected staff member of for almost a year.
The remains of the late Sarah McNally are carefully taken from a hearse outside St Mel’s Cathedral as mourners watch on.
Her former boyfriend, Marcien Pieciak remains in a New York hospital with self-inflicted wounds having been formally indicted by a Grand Jury in New York over her murder.
Traffic was brought to a standstill as a hearse carrying the remains of the much loved Longford woman slowly made its way through the midlands town and towards the cathedral’s front gates.
The late Sarah McNally.
Inside, a single framed photograph of the former Meán Scoil Mhuire student sat perched on top of white wicker coffin in front of the altar.
Those modest, yet unerringly poignant symbol was one chief celebrant Fr Michael McGrath alluded to as she told of how Ms McNally’s untimely death had “stunned us in our tracks”.
In a moving reflection, Fr McGrath said there was a tragic irony in how the same venue which was now hearing the car loving enthusiast’s funeral had been the setting for an evening of Easter celebrations on the same night Ms McNally’s life was “quenched in the most horrific manner”.
He said the pain of the sense of “shock, anger and disbelief” brought about by the events nine days earlier in New York could not, however, override the lasting legacy Ms McNally had left behind.
The remains of the late Sarah McNally are carried into St Mel’s Cathedral.
“Those who knew Sarah best remember a vivacious young woman who loved life, her loud souped up cars,” he said.
“Former colleagues remember her as someone who could have invented online shopping before it became the in thing.
“Her nature was adventurous and generous. Her laughter and sense of fun was wildly infectious. In her short life of 41 years, she has left behind a trail of joyful light.”
Those stirring anecdotes were ones that were matched by her friend Áine, who spoke lovingly of Ms McNally’s unmistakeable zest for life, her willingness to help others alongside an unflinching love for those closest to her.
“How do you sum up Sarah McNally? You can’t,” she said.
“She was larger than life, she was someone special and a unique force to be reckoned with who was made for great things. Everyone in her community at home and abroad are shell-shocked.”
That sense of disbelief were emotions, she added, that had failed to sour the indelible imprint Ms McNally had left etched in the hearts and minds of all who knew her.
“Talking to people about Sarah was her kindness,” she said,” while revealing how her unbridled penchant for US rapper Tupac Shakur had led her to inscribe the tattoo ‘Never stop dreaming, no one can take away your dreams’ on her arm.
“She had a heart of gold. She loved everyone and she made a lasting impression on people and one that we will all remember forever.”
Sarah’s uncle, whom she affectionately called Uncle Ed, followed suit as he heaped thanks on all those who had played a part in bringing the late Ms McNally home.
Most notable among them were her many friends and colleagues at The Ceili House Bar, the NYPD, the emergency services and The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
Addressing his niece directly, he said movingly: “You were beautiful, unique, very special, kind and a very loving girl with the most beautiful smile.”
“You lit up the room everywhere you went. We all loved you so much and we still will and we are going to miss you so, so much.”
Following funeral mass, mourners quietly gathered to pay a final salute to the late Longford woman ahead of a private cremation service.
The late Sarah McNally is survived by her loving mother Dorrie, dear father Des, grandmother Kathleen O’Connor, aunts, uncles, relatives, extended family and a wide circle of friends in Longford and New York.
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