Posted by Husband weeps at the funeral of his wife and murdered children
Mourners at Newcastle Cemetery, Co Dublin, yesterday for the the funerals of Seema Banu, her daughter Asfira and her son Faizan who were found dead at their home in Ballinteer, Dublin, last week. Photo: Collins
November 07 2020 02:30 AM
The husband of Seema Banu who was found dead with her two children in their Dublin home last week broke down in tears at their funerals yesterday.
Sameer Sayed wept as he opened Seema’s coffin and the two small white coffins of their children to say goodbye before the burials in Newcastle, Co Dublin.
Gardaí launched a murder investigation following the discovery of Seema (37), her daughter Asfira Riza (11) and son Faizan Syed (6) who were found strangled to death in their home in Llewellyn Court, Ballinteer, last Wednesday.
Gardaí said the children were murdered but have yet to formally confirm how Seema sustained her fatal injuries. They are examining the possibility she was also murdered.
The family, who are originally from India, moved to Ireland from Dubai earlier this year.
Seema’s family said they wanted the remains taken back to India to give them a burial in their native country.
However, Sameer insisted that the funerals take place in Ireland and he had final say as their next of kin.
The bodies were released this week and taken to Clonskeagh Mosque where they were washed and prepared for burial at the Muslim Cemetery in Newcastle.
Two hearses – one carrying Seema’s coffin and the other carrying the two coffins of the children – arrived at the cemetery about 2.30pm.
Sameer was among a small number of mourners who attended the burial. He helped carry the coffins to the grave before saying his goodbyes.
Seema’s coffin was lowered into the ground first followed by those of her children.
Sameer placed a number of flowers on the graves following the burial.
Later he kneeled in silent prayer over their grave.
Head Imam of the Islamic Centre of Ireland Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri attended yesterday’s funerals.
“It’s such a tragic way to go and it’s a tragedy for all Ireland not just the Muslim community,” he said. “For something like this to happen in Ireland is unheard of.”
Dr Al-Qadri said he had had been speaking to Seema’s brother and mother in India in relation to the tragic deaths.
The Indian Embassy organised a livestream of the service so Seema’s family could watch.
Seema’s family said this week that they did not want the burials to take place in Ireland and her parents were very upset that they weren’t able to perform their final rituals and fulfil their rightful duties as parents.
A number of gardaí watched the funeral service from a distance.
Irish Independent
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