Community Mourns Loss While Peacekeepers Return Home Amid Shocking News

The funeral of 59-year-old Stella Gallagher took place in Cork today, where family, friends, and community members gathered to honour her life after a tragic attack near her home earlier this month. The service at Our Lady of Lourdes Church echoed with heartfelt tributes, highlighting Gallagher's vibrant spirit and the void left by her passing.

Her husband, Brian Gallagher, who was injured in the same incident, joined their children, Ciara, Conor, and Mark, in paying tribute. Alan Gallagher, Brian's brother, shared memories of Stella's joyous nature, recalling how she loved engaging with friends and family through activities like hiking, baking, and singing. He noted that she brought "goodness and beauty" to those around her, saying, “Stella was a joy to be around and game for anything.” During the service, he recited poignant words from Raymond Carver, encapsulating the essence of love and connection that Stella fostered in her life.

Monsignor Gearóid Dullea, the co-parish priest, conveyed the profound grief felt within the community, stating that Stella's shocking death had left many heartbroken. He mentioned her positive demeanor and deep connections with colleagues from her job at Eli Lilly, communal networks, and fellow members of the SHEP choir. Offertory gifts during the mass symbolized Stella's passions, underscoring her love for gardening and baking.

In a contrasting emotional scene, nearly 200 Irish peacekeepers from the 126th Infantry Battalion returned to Dublin Airport today after a six-month deployment with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Soldiers were greeted by family members, leading to emotional reunions. The deployment had been particularly challenging, with reports of dangerous encounters, including being shot at while serving. Lieutenant Colonel Ed McDonagh conveyed hopes for lasting peace for the Lebanese people as the UN mission prepares to wind down by the end of 2026.

As these moments of grief and celebration unfolded across Ireland, another shocking story emerged from Thailand. A woman, Chonthirat Sakulkoo, was found alive in her coffin just moments before a scheduled cremation at a temple near Bangkok. The woman had been believed to be deceased after two days of unresponsiveness. Family members, preparing for her cremation at the Wat Rat Prakhong Tham temple, were startled when staff heard tapping from the coffin, leading to her being discovered alive and taken to the hospital for treatment.

These poignant events illustrate the fragility of life and the strength of community bonds within Ireland and beyond. As the nation deals with the shock of loss and the relief of homecomings, the stories resonate deeply, reminding us all of life's unpredictable nature. #Cork #LebanonMission #ThailandSurvival