Meath stabbing victim buried

Barry Maguire was remembered at his funeral yesterday as a much-loved son and a selfless and big-hearted friend.

The 23-year-old from Deerpark, Ashbourne, Co Meath, was out with friends early on St Stephen's Day when he was stabbed in the Milltown estate. No one has yet been charged with the death.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Ashbourne was packed for the requiem Mass.

Fr Derek Darby said Barry had been described by many as big-hearted and with "a genuine interest in people's welfare".

He was never without a smile, the curate said. "The most important thing to Barry was his family." He depended on them for support and affirmation "and because he received so much of that, he was able to give strength and support to others", Fr Darby said.

He prayed for Barry's mother Stephanie, his brother Stephen, sisters Sarah and Roberta, niece Sophie, nephew Ryan and godson Tadhg, who was christened late last year.

Fr Darby said Barry's maturity was evident in how seriously he took his responsibilities as godfather and he recalled seeing him at Mass on Christmas Day with the baby and his family.

Barry Maguire qualified as a carpenter in November but he also had great ambitions to travel and see the world, the congregation heard.

Fr Darby said that tragic deaths such as Barry's reminded people that "life is short. Life is too short to hold a grudge, to become a judge of someone else. We are here today not because Barry did anything wrong but because of his loyalty to friends".

His death raised questions such as what value we placed on the life of another, Fr Darby said. "What respect do we have for life itself?"

The prayers of the faithful included a prayer for "young people, full of energy and idealism. . . that they see the beauty of the gift of human life".

A prayer was also said for the emergency services. Barry had been taken to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, after the incident.

Gifts carried to the altar included Barry's PlayStation console, his carpentry certificate and a Glasgow Celtic jersey he had received from his brother Stephen at Christmas.

Hundreds of mourners attended the Mass and burial afterwards at the new Ashbourne Cemetery.

They included many present and former members of staff of The Irish Times, where Barry's mother Stephanie worked for many years.