'˜Bishop Daly was a people person, he could relate to everyone'- Dr Tom McGinley

Dr Tom McGinley said that when the campaign for the hospice first began in Derry, Bishop Edward Daly and Bishop James Mehaffey became very involved and fully supported it.

“I first got to know the Bishop when he was the curate Father Edward,” said Dr. McGinley. “When my wife Deirdre and I decided to get married we went to talk to him.”

He said that Bishop Daly was always attentive and had a special way of talking to people who were ill.

“When he stepped down as Bishop he attended the Foyle Hospice daily and said Mass on a Sunday,” said Dr. McGinley.

“He could relate to the patients because he had cancer himself.

“He often said that his ministry in the Foyle Hospice was the most fulfilling of his life, and he was always grateful for the opportunity to help out.

“There was a great friendship between Bishop Daly and Bishop Mehaffey and that helped the ethos of the Foyle Hospice.

“Bishop Daly was a man of wide knowledge who could relate to everyone. But I will remember him for his love of people.”

In February of this year Bishop Daly made the difficult decision to step down as chaplain of the Foyle Hospice.

On the last occasion he celebrated Mass at the Foyle Hospice there were emotional scenes as patients and families were moved to tears.

One lady remarked: “Not a dry eye this morning in Foyle Hospice. The end of an era as Bishop Daly celebrated his final mass for his beloved patients and their families.”

Another said: “Such a wonderful man. Was always there for me and my family when my son died in the hospice. He never forgot us over the years and we will never forget him.”

One family member said: “Bishop Daly always brought calm to a very sad situation. I will never forget this truly wonderful man.”