Lord of the Dance
Funeral held for murdered woman Mary O'Keeffe, found in burning car in Cork earlier this month
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Funeral held for murdered woman Mary O'Keeffe, found in burning car in Cork earlier this month

THE FUNERAL has been held for Ms Mary O'Keeffe following her tragic death earlier this month.

Ms O'Keeffe's family held a small and private funeral for their beloved mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother yesterday afternoon after her body was released from the Cork University Hospital morgue earlier this week.

The family thanked the public for "their kindness and support through this very difficult time" as they laid Ms O'Keeffe to rest alongside her husband Donal, who passed away more than 20 years ago.

The murder of Mary O'Keeffe, 72, on 4 February shocked the small County Cork community where she had lived all her life, working as a cook and raising her family.

Ms O'Keeffee died in tragic and violent circumstances, as her body was found in a burning car in the Annakisha woodlands near the town of Donerail.

A 62-year-old man, Michael Leonard, was rescued from a river a short while later and has since been arrested and charged with Ms O'Keeffe's murder.

She leaves behind her three heartbroken sons Ger, Donald and Christy, brothers and sisters, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson, as well as a large extended family and network of friends.

An online book of condolence has been set up  to provide support and sympathy to Mary O'Keeffe's family.