Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Flowers left at scene on the Timahoe Road outside Portlaoise where the body of Aoife Phelan was discovered by Gardai buried in a metal barrel in a pit. Julien Behal/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Full Statement

Phelan family 'heartbroken' as they prepare for Aoife's funeral

A man was charged with the murder of the 30-year-old last nigh.t.

THE FUNERAL MASS for murdered Laois woman Aoife Phelan is to take place at St Patrick’s Church in Ballyroan this afternoon.

The service comes just 24 hours after a man was charged in relation to her death. Robert Corbet, 24, appeared in court yesterday and was formally charged with her murder.

He was removed to Cloverhill Prison where he will remain until the next hearing on 15 November.

Following the court case, the family issued a statement to say they were “sad and heartbroken”.

Today we are happy to have Aoife back with us, her family.

Her death has left us sad and heartbroken.

She was a loving daughter and sister and we will miss her dearly.

We are overwhelmed by the support and the kindness we have received over the past two weeks.

We would like to thank all the people who helped in searching for Aoife and who have been there for us, especially family members, neighbours, friends and the Ballyroan community.We would like to acknowledge the efforts of An Garda Síochána who have worked tirelessly to have Aoife returned to us.”We ask now for privacy as we spend our remaining precious time with Aoife today and attend to her funeral tomorrow.

Aoife, who is 30, went missing on Thursday 25 October. Her disappearance sparked large searches at the start of the week with hundreds of volunteers taking to the streets in the local areas.

Meanwhile, Nicola Anderson in the The Irish Independent today reports that the young nanny was not pregnant, as previously thought.

Comments have been disabled on this place as there are ongoing court proceedings.

Man charged with murder of Aoife Phelan