The funeral of Dean Maguire. Photo: DublinLive The liturgy during the funeral Mass last week of a man with scores of criminal convictions was described as “disturbing” by the Prior of St Mary’s in Tallaght, Dublin.
Fr Donal Roche was not celebrating the Requiem Mass for Dean Maguire (29), who died in a crash on the N7 two weeks ago, but was acting as a steward.
He told RTÉ’s Liveline that he couldn’t control the number of people entering the church and that there was about 100 people inside. When he locked the door, people would ask to leave and then more would enter.
Despite another member of clergy calling the Garda for assistance, they said their presence would heighten tension.
Maguire was with two other men, believed to be part of the same burglary gang, when their car collided with a truck in Rathcoole as they were travelling the wrong way down the N7.
At the funeral there was banner depicting Maguire’s face with the words: “You know the score, get on the floor, don’t be funny, show me the money.” The offerings included a screwdriver and a torch.