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Thousands pay tribute to firefighter
 BRAY
came to a standstill as thousands of mourners paid their last respects
to firefighter Mark O’Shaughnessy.
Shops, business and restaurants closed their doors and locals of all ages
lined the streets as the 26-year-old’s remains were driven to church.
Fellow firemen made a guard of honour as the hearse and Mr O’Shaughnessy’s
family arrived at the Queen of Peace Church. Throngs of mourners filled
the road as the pipes played.
Mr O’Shaughnessy along with colleague 46-year-old colleague Brian
Murray died while trying to put out a fire at a disused factory in the
Co. Wicklow town last week.
Firefighters turned out from surrounding counties, including colleagues
from Dublin, Kildare, and Kilkenny, as well as New York.
Relatives travelled from England and Australia.
Parish priest Fr Larry White told mourners that no words could alleviate
the grief brought by the loss of Mr O’Shaughnessy.
The town had been touched by a terrible tragedy, he added, and words were
“inadequate” in helping the pain and loss being felt by his
mother Marie, sister Niamh and brother Eamon.
“We often say at times that the pain that can come with grief is
the price we pay for loving.”
The congregation was told Mr O’Shaughnessy had a bright future ahead
of him with his girlfriend Hazel O’Brien and had given much to the
community, including courage and bravery. He spoke of the great loss being
felt by his colleagues in the fire service.
“There is a great camaraderie involved because you take on very
serious work, that the community regard as so essential and dangerous,”
he said.
Mark O’Shaughnessy had been part a special group who protect the
community, parishioners were told.
As mourners prayed, Mr O’Shaughnessy’s yellow fire helmet,
gloves and beret lay on top of his coffin.
Flowers came from friends in Hawaii, where the fireman and his girlfriend
recently had a holiday.
Gardaí and the ambulance services also sent flowers.
Prayers were offered for relatives and friends of colleague Brian Murray,
whose removal takes place this evening at the Holy Church of the Redeemer
in Bray.
Mourners at Mr O’Shaughnessy’s removal on Saturday included,
the Taoiseach’s aide-de-camp Captain Michael Treacy, Wicklow TD
and Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche and Environment Minister
John Gormley, as well as other TDs.
Mark O’Shaughnessy will be buried at Springfield Cemetery, Bray,
after funeral Mass this morning. |
