by Louise Doyle
THE funeral of a father-of-two killed in a workplace accident has heard how he loved his sons “intensely”.
Devoted dad, Anthony Devlin (32) who was due to marry his fiancée Grainne in December, tragically lost his life at his workplace in Buncrana on Tuesday last.
Mourners at his Requiem mass in St Mary’s Church, Cockhill, on Saturday heard how the lives of the loved ones of the mechanic and those of the entire community have been “shattered” by the tragedy.
Fr John Walsh said despite the huge number of mourners at Mr Devlin’s funeral, silence in the church was very much palpable.
“We all feel the sadness of death. Even in a Church as packed as this, you can almost hear your own breath with the silence of the congregation.”
Mourners heard how Mr Devlin had his fiancée Grainne had poignantly just completed a marriage preparation course.
“We are shattered by this event,” Fr Walsh said.
He told how he received a call from An Garda Siochána last Tuesday, and only when he travelled along the Kinnegoe crossroads did he realise that the tragedy involved the couple due to get wed in just a matter of months’ time.
“It is so sad,” Fr Walsh said.
Mr Devlin was born in London but moved home with his family.
A former pupil of Illies National School, Mr Devlin later attended Scoil Mhuire.
He was described by a former teacher as “an absolutely delightful young man”. Adding to this, Fr Walsh said he was “a gifted pupil”.
Mr Devlin was a car enthusiast and a skilled, self-taught mechanic. He even competed in the single-seater Formula Vee series.
Having spent some time in Australia, Mr Devlin returned to Donegal seven years ago.
Following Requiem mass, Mr Devlin was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery of St Mary’s Church, Cockhill.
Late of Dun Na Ri Slavery, Anthony will be sadly missed by his fiancée Grainne, sons Joe and Odhran, parents Philip and Una, sisters Tara, Tina, Leanne, brother-in-law Ian, granny Annie Devlin and a wide circle of family and friends.
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