Father-of-two planned to take family on Christmas trip days before death
A father-of-two who was killed in a car incident has been described as man who was “so life-giving” at his funeral in Co Monaghan.
Stephen Marron, 47, was killed as he sat in his parked car outside a fast food restaurant where he worked as a delivery driver in Castleblaney on Tuesday.
Mourners at his funeral at St Mary’s Church in the town heard how he had been working that night as he had planned to take his wife, Helen and their two children – nine-year-old Andrea and six-year-old Franco – on a Christmas trip to Galway this weekend.
Police officer Michael Devlin, who was dragged 500 metres by a speeding Audi during the incident, remains in hospital as members of his family attended the funeral.
Local sports clubs Castleblayney Hurling Club, Blayney Rovers Football Club and Castleblayney Faughs Gaelic Club formed a guard of honour as the cortege arrived at the church
The funeral of Stephen Marron is taking place in his home town of Castleblaney this morning after he was killed in an incident on Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/Tr9nB60IbX
— Cate McCurry (@CateMcCurry) December 1, 2018
Speaking during the service, Canon Shane McCaughey described Mr Marron as someone who was “so important to our lives in so many different ways”.
“Someone whose presence was so life-giving and now is dead,” he added.
“It is difficult to list all the things he did for the parish.
“From selling tickets to delivering envelopes, no task was too awkward nor no challenge too great.
“Family was so important to him, for it was the centre of his world.
“The only reason he was working on Tuesday night was because he had planned an outing with Helen and the children this weekend.”
Among the symbols presented during the mass included a plaque which his children had planned to give him as a Christmas present.
Canon McCaughey added that Mr Marron was the “go-to-man for a myriad of things”.
“From collecting prescriptions for the elderly and accompanying them to appointments, to being treasurer with the hurling club and training the young hurlers and soccer players,” he added.
“Stephen would not want me to be making him into a saint. He was described as being built not for speed, more for comfort.”
The Canon said his family are in a “state of shock” following the incident.
“There is a sense that people are not just praying for the Marron family but all those who were involved in the tragic incident,” he added.
“The Guard who was injured is in a difficult place as well.”
James Tomany, 34, appeared in court on Thursday where he was charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Marron.
Tomany, of Clay Road, Keady, in Co Armagh, faces a total of four charges.
He is accused of dangerous driving causing death and reckless endangerment while driving.
Tomany, who appeared before Carrickmacross District Court, is further charged with two assault offences from a separate alleged incident in March this year.
Earlier: Mourners gather for funeral of Stephen Marron
Mourners have already started to gather at St Mary’s Church in Castleblayney, County Monaghan for the funeral of Stephen Marron.
The 47-year-old father of two died in a two-car collision in the town on Tuesday night.
Speaking outside the church a short time ago, parish priest Canon Shane McCaughey said his family ‘are in a state of shock.’
He said is the second time his parents have lost a child; their daughter Patricia died 25 years ago when she was 11 years old.
Fr McCaughey said,’They have gone down this journey before; in November 25 years ago they followed the small coffin of an 11-year-old girl to this church.”
“Stephen’s own children were preparing this weekend to go away for a little treat over to Galway, Stephen had arranged for his wife and children to meet Santa Claus.”
I know the Toy Show was on last night on RTÉ and the children of the country were so much looking forward to that. I know Stephens' son and daughter were so much part of that as well.
“One of the symbols that is going to be presented today at the start of our liturgy is a little plaque that Helen, Stephen’s wife, had got for their children to give to Stephen on Christmas Day.”
“It is such a sad time in the mouth of Christmas for a family to be distraught and to be so hurting when the rest of our country rightly so is celebrating Christmas, the birth of Christ, the coming of Santa Claus and all those good things,” he said.
