Martin Morrissey Beary died suddenly last week.
A PARISH priest, who presided over the funeral mass of a young father, spoke about the scourge of addiction and the importance of educating young people on the dangers of drink and drugs.
Fr. Denis Lennon was the chief celebrant of the funeral mass of 33-year-old, soccer mad, father-of-two, Martin Morrissey Beary.
Martin, from Belvedere Grove, was the son of Mary Beary, brother of Patrick, father of Ashleigh and Sophie, and grandson of Danny and Ann Beary. It was with great shock that his death was discovered on Tuesday last. The 33-year-old was described by his uncle Ger Beary as a “gentle giant”.
At his funeral mass in Clonard Church on Thursday, Mr. Beary’s uncle said that he had been like a son to him as he grew up and they had shared some fantastic memories together: “We had some great memories – I could go on for days.”
He said his nephew had been a member of Clonard GAA and later North End United, a club which he dearly loved and was extremely enthusiastic about: “I used to get texts every Saturday night about matches – he broke my heart!”
However as the years went on, Martin had, he said, had a troubled mind and earlier this year had gone into rehab, his mother Mary driving him to the centre and supporting him all the way.
“When he came home he was like a new man. He got back to pre-season training and was playing right stuff, absolutely fantastic. I was delighted watching him. He was getting his sharpness back.” He explained that they had played a match a few weeks earlier and Martin had hit the post.
“I so badly wanted it to go in because it would have given him more confidence. He should be starting this Sunday, looking forward to soccer season. I guess it’s not to be.”
There would, he added, always be a presence at North End’s clubhouse that he would attribute to him: “You were a legend, a gentle giant. I love you so much and always will.”
At the North End / Rathnure game on Sunday, a minute’s silence was held for Martin. The tight game was won when Martin’s cousin Adam came on and scored the winning goal.
Fr. Denis Lennon later extended his own sympathies to the Beary family, saying that everyone was very shocked and saddened by what had happened.
He mentioned the fact that Martin’s family had been through another struggle three years earlier when the young man had been at death’s door for months, remarking that the community had prayed for his recovery.
“Ger referred to it in his few words that Martin had his struggles with addiction. We had all hoped and prayed that he was well on the road to recovery.”
[Full story in this week’s Echo]
