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Veteran Glengad fishermen laid to
rest
20.03.08
HUNDREDS of people
gathered on Tuesday to say their final farewells to
brothers Danny and Francis McDaid who died in a
fishing tragedy off the coast of Inishowen Head.
Malin parish priest, Fr. Brian Brady said the
Glengad and Malin communities were "engulfed by
grief and sadness" but he said it was of some
consolation to the grieving families that Danny and
Francis were together when they died. |
Francis, who was 69,
was buried in the morning while his 70 year old
brother was buried in the afternoon at Lagg, Malin.
Francis' burial had barely taken place at Aughaclay,
Malin, when their devastated families had to return
to their cars and make another heartbreaking journey
to the church in the sand dunes at Lagg, near Five
Fingers Strand. |
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So many cars arrived,
friends and neighbours had to act as parking
attendants to ensure everyone got the chance to pay
their last respects.
Fr. Brady told the congregations at both Masses that
the sea had robbed the McDaids and the wider
community of two "fine family men".
"They cared passionately for their families and
doted on their grandchildren," he said.
Like many people in rural fishing communities, both
Danny and Francis had to do "backbreaking work"
throughout their working lives and fishing provided
an additional income particularly in the summer
months.
The congregation was told how when Danny was 21 he
was badly burned in an accident and it was feared he
wouldn't survive.
"It is testimony to the strong man he was that he
fought and survived," said Fr. Brady.
"In those days, there was no such thing as skin
grafts and he carried the scars of that burning to
his death."
The men died tragically on Friday when their boat
the 'Strath Marie' got into trouble as they
collected lobster pots off Inishowen Head near the
mouth of Lough Foyle. The families concede they may
never know the true cause of the mysterious
accident. For more on the tragedy that shocked
Inishowen, click
here . |
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