United tribute to road victim
Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, has sent his personal condolences to the family of Red Devils fanatic Martin Gallagher who died tragically in Derry at the weekend.
A personal tribute from the United manager was read at the funeral this morning of Martin (25), who was killed in an alleged hit-and-run incident in the early hours of Sunday morning while walking home from the city's Halloween celebrations.
A second tribute, from local hero, Paddy McCourt, who plays for Celtic FC, was also read during the Requiem Mass this morning.
Hundreds of mourners packed into St Brigid's Church, Carnhill, to pay their final respects to the popular local athlete who had run a number of marathons for charity.
Many of Mr. Gallagher's family and friends wore Manchester United tops, including his dad, also called Martin, as he carried his son's coffin.
People wept openly during the funeral and as the young man's remains were laid to rest in the City Cemetery.
The funeral cortege paused briefly at the scene of the tragedy at Racecourse Road in the city's Pennyburn area on its way to the church.
Addressing mourners on Wednesday morning, Fr Dermott Harkin, who administered the Last Rites to the 25-year-old at the scene of the crash, described the tragedy as "the saddest occasion of my life".
Fr Harkin said Martin was a loved member of the community and that the tragedy had affected the entire town. He said people had described Martin as "a lovely lad, a hunk, inoffensive and shy."
He recalled the fateful night when he was called to the scene. He said: "When I got the call my heart sank. When I went there were the usual scenes of an accident, police officers and areas cordoned off.
"(But] there was a silent murmur of prayers and a feeling of peace and dignity."
It is understood that police officers joined in prayers at the scene of the incident which happened at around 2.20am on Sunday.
Fr Harkin described what happened as a "cruel and senseless act".
He said he was sure the driver of the car had not set out to cause Martin's death and that their family would also be affected by the tragedy.
He said: "God help them. But the Gallagher family can hold their heads up high."
Fr Harkin said in Martin's 25 years of life he had touched, inspired and affected more people than someone who lived well into their 50s.
"Sleep well", the priest said.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
