THE LEITRIM student who died following an assault before Christmas in Mullingar was remembered last night by his local priest as “a very happy fun-loving young man” who cherished life and was beloved of his family and many friends.
Neighbours and family friends turned out in huge numbers for the removal of 20-year-old Andrew Dolan, who died on January 1st from injuries that he suffered in the assault two days before Christmas.
St Mary’s church in the town centre was full to overflowing as local people showed solidarity with his grieving parents Joe and Rosie and brothers Jack and Gavin.
Almost directly across the street from the church, a black bow had been pinned to the front door of the Bush Hotel, which is owned by the Dolan family.
A picture of the late student smiling broadly in his Shannon Gaels football jersey was displayed on a giant screen in the deserted hotel lobby, with the dates that bookended his short life, 1991 to 2012.
Parish priest of Carrick-on- Shannon, Fr Frank Garvey, told the congregation that words were utterly inadequate to convey the depth of sadness and loss caused by the untimely death of the young student.
Andrew Dolan was a young man who “loved and cherished and celebrated life to the full”. His family, his friends and Shannon Gaels were the heartbeat of his life, said Fr Garvey.
The biomedical science student, whose organs have been donated to five people, will be laid to rest today in Ardcarne cemetery following funeral Mass at noon.