The funeral of murdered Cork student Karen Buckley this afternoon was told of the indescribable hurt and pain her family are suffering.
Crowds gathered for the funeral, at St Michael the Archangel in Analeentha church in Mourneabbey, near Mallow in Co Cork.
The student's brothers placed a photograph of her as a child starting school, as well as her nurse uniform, by her coffin.
Parish priest Fr Joe O'Keeffe told mourners, who were led by Ms Buckley's parents John and Marian and brothers Brendan, Kieran and Damian, that now was a time of tears.
As well as being a young woman, Ms Buckley, 24, was a friend, cousin, niece, sister-in-law, sister, and a child, he said.
To her parents in particular it was most difficult to see their only daughter travel from "the cradle to the coffin", he told them.
"One represents the beginning of life and the other represents the end," he said. "And it is doubly sad when the two are so closely linked.
"We are deeply, deeply saddened when the life of someone so young is cut short, and in Karen's case, so tragically and horrifically so, by the curtain of death."
Ms Buckley's local parish church was not big enough for the crowds that turned out to bid her a final farewell, including those who had travelled from Scotland.
A loud speaker had to be put up so those who gathered outside could hear the service.
A large marquee set up on the church grounds was also packed out.
Ms Buckley's cousin Siobhan Leahy read a poem entitled "Karen", which recalled her journey from "green country fields" to international studies, "a nurse with plans, a woman full of dreams".
"A smile to lift a thousand frowns; brown eyes shining, big and round; a country girl - big hopes, big plans; big heart, big smile and caring hands," she read.
As well as hymns by the local church choirs, there was also a version of the Irish female group Celtic Woman's song Goodnight, My Angel.
In a reference to the student's love of travel, Fr O'Keeffe said: "Through travelling extensively Karen reached many a destination. Shortly, we will travel with her mortal remains on her last earthly journey."
Among those who joined the family were Commandant Kieran Carey representing the Taoiseach, as well Minister of State Darragh Murphy and the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Mary Shields.
Police Scotland were represented by Detective Inspector Alan Burton, Sergeant Elaine Carey, Sgt Hannah Naseem, while Canon Eithne Lynch represented the Church of Ireland.
Friends from Ms Buckley's student days at University of Limerick were also in attendance.
Ms Buckley was found murdered after she went missing on a night out in Glasgow earlier this month.
She was buried today after the funeral service in nearby Burnfort Cemetery, alongside her grandparents.
