Heartbreaking tribute to ‘much-loved’ Cork mum fatally stabbed as family, friends and community mourn tragic loss

Her husband was also seriously injured in the attack
COLLEGUES of a popular 59-year-old woman who was fatally stabbed in Cork city last Monday have paid tribute to a “dearly loved” wife and mother.

Stella Gallagher worked as a chemical engineer at Eli Lilly near Kinsale, where she was kind and caring, with a wonderful smile.

Stella was attacked by a man armed with a knife close to her home in Shrewsbury Downs in Ballinlough in Cork city last Monday night. She will be buried on Tuesday.

Stella Gallagher, 59, died in Cork University Hospital in the aftermath of the stabbing incident in which her husband Brian was also seriously injured.

Mrs Gallagher was a retired chemical engineer. She was known under her maiden name of Griffin at her workplace, Eli Lilly.

Her death notice reads that Mrs Gallagher is survived by her husband, Brian, and her children, Ciara, Conor and Mark.

She is also “sadly missed” by her brother Denis, parents-in-law Val and Geraldine, brothers-in-law Alan and Mark, sisters-in-law Erika, Ann, Michele and Mary, nephews and nieces, extended family, and friends.

The “much-loved mother,” who is a native of Ballinspittle, Co Cork, will lie in repose at the Temple Hill Funeral Home in Boreenmanna Road in Cork from 5pm to 6pm next Monday.

Her Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday at 11am in the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ballinlough. The Mass will be live-streamed. Burial will follow at St Michael’s Cemetery in Blackrock in Cork city.

A colleague at Eli Lilly said: “She was a wonderful person to have worked with, such a kind, caring nature and a very competent engineer.”

Another said: “I worked with Stella many years ago and clearly remember her competence, gentleness and beautiful smile.”

Others remembered Stella having gone to school in Kinsale with her, with one saying: “I remember Stella from Secondary School in Kinsale. She was a lovely, talented girl.”

‘STELLA WAS BEAUTIFUL’

Another said: “Stella was a beautiful, kind and fun-loving classmate in National School.”

Another mourner in the condolences section of Rip.ie described Stella as a “gentle lady with a ready smile”, whilst another said that she was a “wonderful person”.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland has also offered its “deepest sympathies” to the loved ones of Mrs Gallagher.

‘IN A STABLE CONDITION’

In a statement on social media, the council said “that their thoughts are especially with her husband Brian, who was also seriously injured and remains in a stable condition in hospital”.

David Gallagher, with an address at Shrewsbury Downs in Ballinlough in Cork, has been charged with the murder of his mother and with assault causing harm to his father, close to the family home in Ballinlough last Monday night.

The 25-year-old, who is to receive medical and psychiatric help in prison, was remanded in custody following his court appearance on Wednesday. He will appear before Cork District Court again by video link on November 26 next.