Courtney McGrailHundreds of people attended the funeral of popular Co. Tyrone parish priest, Canon Tom Breen, who was remembered last week as “humble and compassionate”.
Canon Breen, who recently turned 84, passed away in the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen and was buried in St Davog’s Church in Dromore.
Canon Breen was remembered for having a pivotal role in community life in Dromore since he arrived in the parish in 1982 as a curate. He was particularly well-known for his dedicated support of Dromore GAA club, and members of the ladies’ and men’s teams, as well as those of Trillick and Truagh in Co. Monaghan, formed a guard of honour at his funeral.
The chief celebrant at the Mass was the Bishop of Clogher, Liam McDaid, assisted by the current Dromore PP, Fr Patrick McEntee. Bishop Joe Duffy and Bishop Edward Daly also attended the ceremony.
Bishop McDaid described Canon Breen as an “extraordinary ordinary man”, who thought little of money or possessions and “gave his attention to people fully and in an incredibly kind way”. Cllr Pat McDonnell said “first and foremost a great pastor, Tom Breen was the kind of priest who held the Church together during desperately difficult times”.