Love can manifest in a perverse way

Son, three, is buried in the arms of dad who killed him in car crash murder-suicide

TRAGIC Alex James Velocci was laid to rest yesterday, wrapped in the arms of his dad who killed him.

Marco Velocci, 28, and his three-year-old son, died when the car they were travelling in smashed head-on into an articulated truck in Limerick in a suspected murder-suicide on Tuesday.

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The funeral, where both Marco and Alex were laid to rest in the same coffin, at the request of Alex’s mother

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The three-year-old boy was killed in a car crash which is suspected to have been a murder-suicide by his father

And the request by injured mum Jodie that the son and dad would be together in a single coffin was described at their funeral Mass as “a profound testimony to the power of compassion and love”.

The tragedy unfolded when Marco called to his ex-partner Jodie’s home in the small village of Oola on Tuesday.

He seriously assaulted and stabbed her when she tried to stop him taking little Alex.

A short time later Marco, who lived in the neighbouring village of Lattin, Co Tipperary, drove his car into an oncoming articulated truck — killing both of them instantly.

Gardai believe it was a murder-suicide as the impact happened on a 15m-wide straight stretch of the N24 Limerick-Tipperary national roadway 2km from Oola village.

The collision happened after the 28-year-old apparently veered on to the wrong side of the road.

Flowers, tributes and a teddy bear have been left at the scene by devastated family and friends.

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Marco Velocci, 28, and his three-year-old son, died when the car they were travelling in smashed head-on into an articulated truck in Limerick

Yesterday, hundreds of people packed into the Church of the Sacred Heart in Oola, while many more stood outside to pay their respects to both families.

Ten minutes before Mass, heartbroken Jodie was wheeled up the Church in a wheelchair stopping in front of the coffin on which sat framed pictures of Alex and his dad.

She stood up and in a poignant gesture kissed the coffin.

Fr John Morris told of the love and joy that little Alex, who was always happy and loving, had brought into the hearts and homes of both the Power and Velocci families.

He said: “In the three short years of his life Alex brought great love and happiness to everyone.”

And he told how on the day before the deaths, Alex had spent a happy day with his mum and dad.

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Marco called to his ex-partner Jodie’s home in the small village of Oola on Tuesday. He seriously assaulted and stabbed her when she tried to stop him taking little Alex

But he also spoke of the darkness that surrounded Marco Veloccis.

He said: “Marco was a much loved son and brother. Marco loved Alex but it is a human story that love manifests itself in a perverse way.

“Marco’s life was in a dark place filled with despair unreachable to the love of his family.”

But he said there was signs of love and especially hope “in the love and solidarity shown over the past few days” with the community reaching out to those bereaved.

He said: “I have seen the signs of love and hope these past days amongst us.

“First of all there is the solidarity within each family in this time of shock and torment. The support and the goodness of our community here reaching out to them.