Granard is in mourning once again as the funeral of schoolgirl Patrica Lovett takes place.
Patricia Lovett a 14-year-old Intermediate Certificate student at Granard Convent of Mercy in County Longford died at her home on 22 April 1984. She had returned from attending a disco in nearby Edgeworthstown with two school friends.
Local curate Father John Quinn gave Patricia Lovett and her friends a lift home from the disco. Among those who saw Patrica at the dance were the event organiser and local band promoter Connie Lee who says that the whole town is in a state of shock.
It's a situation where everybody feels heartbroken about the kids.
He feels helpless,
There’s nothing anybody can do it's just something that happened and something that you'd hope will never happen again.
Patricia Lovett was the second youngest of the nine children of Diarmuid and Patrica Lovett. She was the younger sister of 15-year-old Ann Lovett who died in January 1984 after giving birth to a stillborn baby.
The funeral of Patricia Lovett at Saint Mary’s Church was a quiet and dignified occasion. During mass, The Very Reverend Canon Francis Gilfinnan described Patrica as,
A beautiful young girl taken away in the blossom of her life.
The funeral cortege moved to Granardkille Cemetery where Patricia Lovett's classmates left a wreath and shed tears. At the graveside Father John Quinn said prayers and Patricia was laid to rest beside her sister Ann Lovett.
According to An Garda Síochána, an empty canister that had contained blood pressure tablets was found in the bedroom where Patricia Lovett died. Results of a post-mortem carried out on Patrica Lovett are expected shortly. An inquest is expected to be held in May 1984.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 April 1984. The reporter is Michael Fisher.
