THE sister of a woman who was mauled to death by her pet dogs last week told her funeral mass today (Monday) that the heart of their family had been “shattered” by the shocking tragedy.
23-year-old Nicole Lisa Marie Morey, originally from Bawnmore View in Limerick City, was killed by her dogs at her home in Fedamore, County Limerick, on Tuesday night of last week (June 4).
The young Limerick woman had been out celebrating her 23rd birthday before she returned home to the fatal animal attack.
Ms Morey’s sister, Jolene Morey, told mourners at the funeral mass held at the Holy Family parish church in Southill that “our hearts are shattered for the rest of our lives”.
“Our family tree is broken and I’m trying my best to stay so strong on the outside, but on the inside it’s hurting so much that no one will ever know.
“To my loving sister, never in a million years did I think I’d be here at your funeral. You were so loving and caring, you never deserved any of this,” Jolene Morey said.
Memories of happier times when they were children organising their own colouring book competitions “will live on forever”, she said.
“Every day we would laugh and joke, Nicole would sing her heart and soul out every morning.
“There was no closer bond than me and my sister Nicole, she was like a mother figure to me and my brothers – her nickname was “Mothers” – there was nothing in life Nicole wouldn’t do for us.”
Jolene Morey said that she was going to be “so lost” without her sister.
“I will love and miss you, but I know you will be right by my side through all of this hard time. Please watch over us, Nicole, we need you more than ever now.”
Nicole Morey kept four dogs, which were all on a restricted breeding list.
When Gardaí arrived at her home on the night, they encountered a number of aggressive dogs and Ms Moreyin a critical condition. She was pronounced dead at this scene.
Former Southill parish priest, Fr Pat Hogan, told mourners Ms Morey’s family had been consumed by “a tragedy, a darkness, unbelievable grief”.
“We must try to remember Nicole for her generosity, kindness and beauty,” Fr Hogan said.
“Nicole meant a lot to many people, she was full of life, engaging, pleasant, kind, and very good company. She was wonderful. She was beautiful.”
Nicole Morey’s devastated father, Patrick O’Donnell, fought back tears as he paid tribute to “our baby girl Nicole”.
“As you grew up, your beauty and your smile got bigger and better. You were a girl that would do anything in your power to help anyone and do it with a smile on your face,” Mr O’Donnell said.
“I always looked forward to seeing you smile. We will miss you dearly, you will be forever 23, and most of all, you’ll forever be in our hearts.”
Some of Ms Morey’s 10 siblings laid mementos from her short life beside her coffin, including her laptop, representing “her love of social media, especially TikTok, she always wanted to go viral”, and a can of Red Bull and a scratch card as a reminder that “Nicole was always full of energy and would try her luck on anything”.
Ms Morey’s mother Lisa Morey wept and touched her daughter’s coffin as it was brought out of the church to a waiting hearse.
Nicole Morey, who is survived by her parents, Lisa and Patrick, step-parents, Joseph and Nicola, brothers and sisters, and a wide network of friends, was laid to rest in Mount Saint Oliver Cemetery.
