"Quiet, gentle Mairt O'Gorman" laid to rest

A large crowd turned out in St Peter and Paul's Church, Athlone on Monday last to bid a final, poignant farewell to Martin O'Gorman, who died tragically on June 27 last in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, a week after he was the victim of a vicious assault in Navan. The 63-year-old Battery Road native, known to his friends and family simply as Mairt, and to which he was referred throughout the ceremony, was described as a "quiet, unassuming gentleman" by chief celebrant Canon Pat Murray and, in an extremely moving, and at times humourous eulogy from his nephew Diarmuid, a loving picture was painted of a deeply knowledgable GAA fan, a hard worker, dry witted, thoughtful, private man, who was a big part of his family and loved by them all, particularly the children. In his homily, Canon Pat Murray referred to the gospel and the words of Jesus to Martha, who was mourning and weeping the loss of her brother as a source of comfort to the O'Gorman family. "I am the resurrection and the life anyone who believes in me, even though he dies, will have eternal life." He said it applies to death due to old age, as a result of a long illness, an accident or of natural causes. "It also applies in cases where a life is taken by the hand of another as in the case of Mairt O'Gorman. It is difficult to cope with death at any time but in this case it is much more difficult," he went on say expressing his deepest sympathy to Mairt's brothers Dermot and Paschal, sister-in-laws, relatives and friends. Canon Murray said when news broke of the death in Navan, within hours people heard it was someone from Athlone and it later became clear it was "quiet, gentle Mairt O'Gorman". An unassuming gentleman, Canon Murray said he knew Mairt because the priest's house on Battery Road was next door to the O'Gorman family home, and he had known his mother and father for years. Although he didn't know him very well, he said Mairt was a "shy, retiring man". A Meath GAA follower in preference to Roscommon since his time in Gormanstown college, Mairt worked with crane machinery in Midland Crane Hire, bringing cranes to and from sites which involved a lot of travel. He had a great interest in machinery, something he got from his father, a builder and developer in a time before developers got a bad name, Canon Murray said. His circle of friends would have been small but as the eldest in family, he was particularly close to his late mother, the cleric highlighted. When she went into hospital he visited her every day, describing him as "loyal and faithful". "Her death was a great tragedy for him but now they are united in God's love". A down to earth, quiet, happy and reserved man, Canon Murray concluded by thanking God for the life he had and asked for help for the family at this difficult time to give them strength and consolation". Prior to the conclusion of the funeral Mass, Mairt's nephew, Diarmuid O'Gorman, son of Dermot painted an affectionate picture of a well loved uncle in a very moving eulogy. At times, very sad and others humourous, Mr O'Gorman told the large crowd in attendance of his close relationship with Mairt and the traits that made him what he was. (The full text of the eulogy is printed below) A hard worker, with a huge interest in machinery and engineering, he possessed an a in-depth knowledge of every highway and byway from his travel with the cranes and a deep knowledge of the GAA. Mairt loved stopping in service stations for 'the tea', telling a funny story of his scone eating along the way. A proud O'Gorman, his kindness to his mother knew no bounds, Diarmuid told those in attendance in St Peter and Paul's Church on Monday, describing him as a thoughtful person who liked to get things right. He also liked a pint or two in Sean's Bar, Athlone with his many friends there. Adored by his nieces and nephews and extended family, particularly the children, Diarmuid said his uncle left many legacies but two in particular should be highlighted. Within hours of his passing, his nephew poignantly said that Mairt's kidneys had been transplanted into a man and a woman who had been on dialysis for six years. Both are happy and doing well, he said. He concluded the eulogy with a beautiful Celtic prayer with the final appropriate words: "Deep Peace to you" to the claps of all in the church. Paschal O'Gorman, brother of the deceased then addressed the crowd briefly to thank the family, extended family around the country for all they have done during what have been "terrible weeks for them". He paid tribute to the Emergency Services in Navan, Drogheda, and in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for all they did for Martin and their kindness, patience and understanding to the family. He also thanked An Garda Siochana for a thorough and professional investigation into the tragedy and also the humanity shown to Mairt's family, also paying tribute to Canon Liam Devine and Canon Pat Murray for all of their help at this difficult time for them. After final prayers of commendation, Mr O'Gorman's remains left the church to the haunting strains of The Lonesome Boatman and An Raibe Ti na fearraig played on tin whistle by Cormac Reid. The funeral hearse, flanked by workers in Midland Crane Hire, who formed a guard of honour then made its way in procession solemnly through the streets of Athlone before reaching his final resting place in Cornamagh Cemetery.