Pair were in Rome for weekend visit

Elizabeth Gubbins, who had a PhD in science, came from a family well-known in Limerick GAA circles
Photograph: The Irish Times

ELIZABETH ANN Gubbins, from Lisnagry, Co Limerick, and Mary Claire Collins, from Ballintubbert, Athy, Co Kildare, had travelled to the Italian capital for a weekend break with two college friends with whom they used to share a house in Dublin.

The other two were back in their hotel when Ms Gubbins and Ms Collins were knocked down and killed in the centre of Rome.

The second youngest of six children, Ms Gubbins is survived by her father Tom, her sisters Ita, Lucy Marie and Helen and her brother David.

She had a PhD in science from University College Dublin and had recently started a new job in Tullamore.

Ms Collins, who was living and working in Dublin, also had a science degree. She is survived by her parents Patricia and Kevin Collins and a younger brother and sister. Mr Collins is a secondary school teacher.

The Gubbins family is well known in Limerick GAA circles and Ms Gubbins' two uncles, Cannon Willie Fitzmaurice and Paudie Fitzmaurice, both played hurling for Limerick in the 1970s.

Her older brother David, who is currently living in Oregon in the US, won two county hurling medals for Ahane GAA Club and her father, an electronics engineer, was previously vice-chairman of the club.

Local people in Co Limerick described her as "a lovely girl and extremely intelligent".

She was extremely fit and was fond of outdoor pursuits including hill walking and cycling, according to people who knew her.

"We're all deeply saddened at the sudden death of Elizabeth Gubbins who died in such tragic circumstances. It is every parent's worst nightmare to lose a child," said local parish priest Fr Brendan Kyne.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times