Funeral of Cllr Damien O'Reilly takes place in Dunboyne

Hundreds of mourners filled the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Dunboyne, this morning for the Funeral Mass of Cllr Damien O'Reilly who was remembered as a "true public servant" who was always willing to help others.

Dunboyne came to a standstill as the funeral cortege made its way through the village this morning. Businesses closed their doors as a mark of respect and formed a guard of honour along the street, while students from local schools and sports clubs also provided a guard of honour outside the Church.

Dunboyne Parish Priest Fr Pat O'Connor led the mourners and was joined on the altar by Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan, Fr Janusz Lugowski, CC Moynalvey, Fr Declan Kelly, CC Dunboyne and Fr David Brennan PP of Kentstown and formerly PP of Moynalvey. Music was provided by the Choir of St Peter's College, of which Cllr O'Reilly was a past pupil and also a member of the Board of Management.

Among those in attendance were Meath County Council Cathaoirleach Tommy Reilly, Leas Cathaoirleach Paul McCabe, Chief Executive Fiona Lawless, and colleagues from each of the six municipal district areas.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was represented by Aide de Camp Commandent Claire Mortimer, while Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne, Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien, Senator Shane Cassells and Senator Donie Cassidy were among the Oireachtas members in the congregation.

Fr O'Connor offered prayers for Damien's fiancée Lisa, daughter Carly, stepson Kyle, his mother Phil and his many relatives and friends. Cllr O'Reilly's late father Paddy was also remembered in the prayers.

Symbols brought to the altar at the start of the Mass included Damien's mobile phone signifying how he was always available at the end of the phone to help others; his latest master's degree awarded on 30th August; a Dunboyne jersey representing his love and dedication of his home town and St Peter's GAA Club; a family photo, and his chains of office.

Fr O'Connor spoke in his homily of Cllr O'Reilly's great love for Dunboyne, his commitment to his role as a public representative and how he was always available at the end of the phone.

He described him as a "great people person", who was selfless in his work and spoke of how he packed a huge amount of work into a day.

"He was a true public servant whom we will miss big time here and we all know why he was a poll topper. Because he was always available to others. Dunboyne was in his heart and anything, or any amenity or any grant, that was available for the area, Damien was on it". And not just for Dunboyne, he said, but for the other areas he represented including Dunshaughlin and Rataoth.

He also spoke of Cllr O'Reilly's thirst for knowledge and how he had a passion for education, recently graduating with his second masters degree and was soon to start another course in the autumn. His great love for his family was also recalled and Fr O'Connor said his life with fiancée Lisa, Carly and Kyle was only just beginning and he was sure they had great plans for their future.

Burial followed at Moynalvey Cemetery.