‘A family man who always lent a hand’
Surrounded by her children and grandchildren, his widow, Mary, slowly climbed the church steps behind her husband’s coffin.
For a third day, local shops and businesses shut their doors and drew blinds, as the funeral took place of the second of the two firemen killed in a local warehouse fire last week.
Outside the Holy Church of the Redeemer, a fire truck came to a halt. Firemen and officers with the Defence Forces, whom Mr Murray’s son Darren is a member of, formed guards of honour.
Inside the packed Wicklow church, Fr George Begley said the large crowd demonstrated how many people wanted to show support for the heartbroken family.
As mourners prayed beside Mr Murray’s coffin, on which sat a fire helmet and fireman’s axe, Fr Begley described how the whole country had come to a standstill over the deaths.
Brian Murray, 46, and a father of 15, had lived for his family and always lent a hand, mourners were told. He always addressed unjust issues and was a real gentleman and loved a laugh, added Fr Begley. He was a fan of Bray Wanderers football club, whose colours hung next to his coffin.
An instrumental song by singer Eminem was played in memory of Zoe Jade, one of Mr Murray’s daughters who previously died of natural causes.
Prayers of the faithful were read by his son, Darren, as well as fellow firemen, including Greg Ruggerio who had travelled with colleagues from New York’s fire department. Mr Murray had previously raised funds for victims of 9/11 and had brought several firemen to Ireland for St Patrick’s Day.
After Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars was played, 15 Eucharistic ministers gave Communion to the hundreds of firemen, family and locals.
Dublin Fire Brigade’s pipe band then slowly marched through the church before the 15-piece group played Amazing Grace.
Mr Murray’s daughter, Joanne, read the fireman’s prayer before Mr Murray’s brother, Noel, spoke.
He said his brother had never got over the excitement of fire engines, adding that he was an everyday man with worries as well as dreams.
His brother, he said, had put all on the line. A fireman was a man who saved people because he had seen the dead, in fires out of control.
“He’s responsive to a child’s laughter because in his arms he’s held too many small bodies that will never laugh again,” he said.
Mourners at the funeral included representatives of the president and taoiseach, the Garda commissioner, ministers, TDs and fire crews from around the country. As Mr Murray’s coffin, covered in the Tricolour, was carried out of the church, the song You’ll Never Walk Alone echoed out over the crowded pavements.
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