HUNDREDS have attended the funeral of a toddler who was found dead in Dungannon earlier this month.
Tavia Michella Ximenes Da Costa, who was 23-months-old, was connected to the East Timorese community in Dungannon and was just weeks away from second birthday.
A candlelit vigil was organised by residents in the Lisnahull Park area on Saturday for “this beautiful soul” before Sunday’s Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church in Dungannon.
During the service, pictures of Tavia and symbols from her life including toys were displayed for mourners.
Emergency services had responded to the report of a sudden death of a child in the Windmill Court area of Dungannon on Sunday morning, October 13, but she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
It was later confirmed she died of a brain injury caused by blunt force trauma, with a court hearing there was evidence she had been shaken.
Police have so far charged three people for the young girl’s death including a man (29) for murder and cruelty to children and a woman (21) for manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person and child cruelty.
Another woman (24) was also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person and cruelty to children.
Dungannon councillor Barry Monteith said that around 400 people attended the vigil on Saturday night, wanting to support those from the East Timor community.
During the service, a tin whistle played and prayers were said as members of the East Timor community and councillors addressed the crowd.
Mr Monteith told the BBC: “For a crowd to turn out like this at such short notice, it shows the real Dungannon and that we’re a community united in grief.
“There are people here from far and wide to put their arms round each other and support each other to find away through this.”
Roy Setiawan is chair of the Timorese Association Inclusive Support and said that the community was “heartbroken”.
“As a community this has really touched us from the Lisnahull Community Association and we appreciate what have they have done, because it feels like everybody’s loss,” he said.
“It’s important to come together tonight commemorate and remember little Tavia, because we’re all feeling the loss, but a lot of people are here to support her and her family.”
