Crowds gathered at Steamboat Quay to remember the life of the Romanian mother who died violently in Limerick last week
By Rachel Petticrew
Just a stone’s throw from where Geila Ibram violently lost her life in Limerick city, locals gathered to remember the 27-year-old one week on from her murder.
Candles, flowers and pictures were brought to a vigil at Steamboat Quay on a wet and windy Tuesday evening by those wishing to pay their respects to the Romanian mother, who arrived in Limerick just a few short weeks ago.
Ms Ibram died after suffering a number of stab wounds at a property on Dock Road, Limerick city on Tuesday afternoon last.
“At the time, we didn’t know anything beyond that a woman in her twenties had been killed in Limerick city,” said local councillor, Elisa O’Donovan. “Over the weekend, we came to know that this woman was named Geila Ibram, and she was murdered just a few short metres from where we stand here today.
“Even though many of us in the community did not know her, she was a woman who had come to Limerick and she deserved to be safe and protected in our city.”
Many of those in attendance said that more needs to be done to protect sex workers and migrant women in Ireland.
“One woman is too many, and this happened in broad daylight when many of us were just going about our business,” said local woman Evie Murphy. “The vulnerability of sex workers and migrant women needs to be taken into consideration. Violence against women is happening all too often, and it needs to stop.”
TD for Limerick city, Maurice Quinlivan, said that Ms Ibram’s death “is not the Limerick we know”.
“My heart is with her family having to travel over from Romania to University Hospital Limerick to identify her body. Hopefully, the perpetrator will be brought to justice as fast as possible,” he added.
On Friday, April 7, a man was arrested in Northern Ireland in connection with Ms Ibram’s death, before being charged with murder before a Belfast court on Saturday.
Habib Shamel, an Afghan national, is due to appear before the courts again via video link on May 2.
