A young seaman "who loved the Navy" and died in tragic circumstances, drowning in the Liffey, was buried in Limerick yesterday with full military honours.
There were emotional scenes at the funeral of Able Seaman Brian Gorey of Devon Close, Castletroy View, as high-ranking Army and Naval Service personnel, family, friends and the crew of his ship, LE Eithne, gathered to pay their last respects in St Patrick's Church, Clare Street.
The compact church was packed as the parish priest, Father Edwin Irwin, concelebrated the funeral Mass with Father Eoin Thynne of Cathal Brugha Barracks, representing the Head Army Chaplain; Father Gerry O'Neill, Chaplain, Naval Service, Collins Barracks, Cork; and Father William Walsh, Chaplain, Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick.
The President, Mrs McAleese, sent a private letter of condolence to the Gorey family, and was represented by her ADC, Capt Michael Tracey. The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, attended the removal of the remains on Thursday night.
The coffin was draped in the Tricolour. The readings were read by the deceased's sister Lorraine, who also read a poem, and by Petty Officer Ian Fitzpatrick, LE Eithne.
The main celebrant, Father Irwin, said the deceased man had achieved so much in his young life and that he had a great love for his family and the respect of his peers and colleagues.
