Finglas shooting victim Sandra Boyd remembered as a 'amazing mother' at funeral

Sandra Boyd (36) died after being shot in the chest at the back of her parents’ home at Collins Place in Finglas East at around 8.40pm on Saturday, March 19.

Her brother, Derek Boyd (27) has appeared in court charged in connection with the fatal shooting.

He is accused of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and was remanded in custody for a week when he appeared in court last Wednesday.

His solicitor told the court the two charges related to "a terrible accident" and a "heartbreaking tragedy", and that Mr Boyd’s family were in court to support him.

Ms Boyd is survived by her mother Teresa, stepfather Alan, father Derek, fiancé Darren, children Ben, Jordan, Luke, Carter, and Darcy; sisters Tanya, Mandy, Nicola, Danielle, Melissa and Megan; brothers Derek and Gerard; aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

They gathered for her funeral with the wider community at St Canice’s Church in Finglas this morning.

In a further tragedy for the family, a man found dead in a tent in Dublin city centre two days after Ms Boyd’s death was her cousin Thomas Boyd Dowling. His funeral will take place in the same church tomorrow.

Ms Boyd’s white coffin was brought to the church in a carriage drawn by two black horses, led by a saxophonist playing the song ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay. Young students from local Beneavin College formed a guard of honour as the coffin was brought into the church in the warmth of the spring sunshine.

Symbols brought to the altar by her sons Ben, Jordan, Luke and Carter to symbolise Ms Boyd’s life were a bottle of Jack Daniels, a packet of cigarettes, a bottle of perfume and a family photograph.

During his homily, Fr Richard Hyland told how the lives of Ms Boyd’s family have been turned upside down, and how there had been an outpouring of compassion since her death, and that she was “an amazing mother who loved and lived for her children”.

“Sandra’s idea of a good night was a movie, and loads of goodies for their children.

"And Sandra delighted in the simplest things of life. No fuss. No bother. Sandra has been taken from us all too soon, and we remember her love, her care, and friendship, and the way our lives have been blessed by her,” he added.

Fr Hyland also offered a Hail Mary prayer for Ms Boyd’s brother Derek, referring to him as his family know him - DJ, asking that Mary take him into her care.

During communion, one of the songs sung by a soloist was ‘Baby Can I Hold You’’, made famous by Tracy Chapman.

At the end of the Requiem Mass, one of Ms Boyd’s sisters said Sandra meant so much to everyone who had the privilege to share their lives with her.

“She was so special to everyone, especially her four beautiful sons Ben, Jordan, Luke and Carter, and her baby girl Darcy,” she said.

She told how Ms Boyd was from a large family of seven girls and two boys and was always very protective of everyone she loved. She said they often used to laugh with Sandra about her people skills.

“Sandra was so much more sociable when she had a few drinks, and she often said quotes to family members about herself.

"Quoting one - my first instinct when I see an animal is to say hello. My first instinct when I see an person is to avoid eye contact and hope it goes away,” she said.

“Sandra loved the simple things in life. She never asked for much and all the things she had she gave to her children,” she added.

After funeral mass Ms Boyd’s remains were brought to Glasnevin cemetery for burial.