FACE OF OMAGH TO LEAVE TOWNS PARISH
Face of Omagh' to leave town's parish
By Seamus McKinney
A CATHOLIC priest who became one of the public faces of Omagh in the aftermath of the 1998 bombing is to leave the town.
Fr Kevin Mullan (56) is to become parish priest of nearby Drumquin in a series of clerical changes announced by bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty yesterday.
A native of Omagh, Fr Mullan became the focus of world media attention in the days after the 1998 bombing in his native town.
As curate at Killyclogher, he knew many of the victims and was celebrant at Requiem Mass for many of those who were murdered.
Fr Mullan was once again placed in the limelight just a year after the atrocity when the dismembered remains of one of his parishioners were discovered buried in a building site in Omagh.
Teenager Sylvia Fleming was pregnant when she was murdered and her body cut to pieces in 1998.
Fr Mullan was given the task of administering the Last Rites to the 17-year-old. He was later the chief celebrant at her Requiem Mass.
Born in 1946, Fr Mullan was educated in Omagh before completing his education at St Columb's College in Derry and St Patrick's College, Maynooth.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1971.
Last night independent Omagh councillor Pat McGowan said Fr Mullan would be sorely missed.
He said Fr Mullan was a great help to Omagh and its people in the days, months and years since the 1998 bombing.
"The only good thing is he's not going too far. Omagh's loss is very much Drumquin's gain.
"Over the last number of years he has had to see and do some terrible things and only he's a very strong man, it could have had a serious effect on him," Mr McGowan said.
Fr Mullan will be installed as parish priest of Drumquin this Sunday by auxiliary bishop of Derry Dr Francis Lagan.
By Seamus McKinney
A CATHOLIC priest who became one of the public faces of Omagh in the aftermath of the 1998 bombing is to leave the town.
Fr Kevin Mullan (56) is to become parish priest of nearby Drumquin in a series of clerical changes announced by bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty yesterday.
A native of Omagh, Fr Mullan became the focus of world media attention in the days after the 1998 bombing in his native town.
As curate at Killyclogher, he knew many of the victims and was celebrant at Requiem Mass for many of those who were murdered.
Fr Mullan was once again placed in the limelight just a year after the atrocity when the dismembered remains of one of his parishioners were discovered buried in a building site in Omagh.
Teenager Sylvia Fleming was pregnant when she was murdered and her body cut to pieces in 1998.
Fr Mullan was given the task of administering the Last Rites to the 17-year-old. He was later the chief celebrant at her Requiem Mass.
Born in 1946, Fr Mullan was educated in Omagh before completing his education at St Columb's College in Derry and St Patrick's College, Maynooth.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1971.
Last night independent Omagh councillor Pat McGowan said Fr Mullan would be sorely missed.
He said Fr Mullan was a great help to Omagh and its people in the days, months and years since the 1998 bombing.
"The only good thing is he's not going too far. Omagh's loss is very much Drumquin's gain.
"Over the last number of years he has had to see and do some terrible things and only he's a very strong man, it could have had a serious effect on him," Mr McGowan said.
Fr Mullan will be installed as parish priest of Drumquin this Sunday by auxiliary bishop of Derry Dr Francis Lagan.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0577
Published Date: 27-Aug-02
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