Marguerita O’Rourke, who was from a well-known family in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, tragically died on December 21, after a van collided with a set of gates she was standing beside
A 21-year-old mum tragically died in an alleged hit-and-run just three weeks after giving birth – as a suspect was arrested after being accused of wielding a machete and making threats to a family member.
Marguerita O’Rourke , who was from a well-known Traveller family in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, died after a van collided with a set of gates she was standing beside on December 21, 2024. A 42-year-old man is charged with causing her death by dangerous driving as well as producing a machete and making threats to a family member.
Hundreds of mourners attended Ms O’Rourke’s funeral mass, held at St Mary’s Church, Rathkeale on Sunday including her devastated husband. Family friend, Fr Liam Enright, chief celebrant, said: “I spoke about Margarita, I knew her since she was a young child here, she was the heart and soul of her family, full of devilment, full of wonder. She loved, as all the girls here love, to get the hair and make-up done, and then she fell in love.
“When she met her husband Denis, they were like Romeo and Juliet, they just loved each other, she saw no one else except him.”
Husband Denis shared heartbreaking photos of their newborn son Edward on Christmas Day, surrounded by toys. Fr Enright said the loving couple “were married here last year, and a month ago yesterday, they welcomed baby Edward into their lives. And, so, a month after Edward was born, Marguerita was brought to this church.”
“Everyone loved her, she was so well liked, her family are well-liked, well-got, and she had an amazing smile and personality,” Fr Enright said. We pray that her son will know about his mum from the love that he receives from all those around him, who will nurture him.”
Fr Enright said the Sheridan and O’Rourke families had received condolences from “so many people from all over Ireland and beyond, in America and England”.
“They have sent messages of support, to watch over baby Edward, and (her husband) Denis, and her parents and siblings,” added Fr Enright who was assisted by co-celebrants Fr Derek Leonard, Fr Willie Russell and Fr Maurice Costelloe.
In a heart-wrenching photo shared on social media, grieving husband Dennis posed on Christmas Day with their newborn baby boy while holding a photo of the late Marguerita on her wedding day. The poignant image taken on their baby boy’s first Christmas shows a mountain of toys for him that sadly Marguerita will never see him play with.
Friends have also paid their respects, sharing a poignant photo with one commenting: “I’ve never seen anything like this. Please Marguerita comfort Dennis and your baby. You should be here with them. Life’s so unfair. You were too good for this big bad world. RIP Maggie,” while another lamented: “My Jesus look down upon this poor man and his little boy.”
