Priest apologises to family for plea at funeral Mass

The priest who asked mourners at a funeral in Cork to pray for a man before the courts on sex abuse charges has apologised to the family of the man whose funeral he was speaking at.

Augustinian friar Fr Martin Crean asked mourners at the funeral mass of John (Seanie) Cotter from Togher, to pray for former Lord Mayor of Cork, John Murray, who was before the courts in one of the most high profile cases of the year.

Mourners at the funeral Mass were stunned when they heard the priest’s request, and Mr Cotter’s family later said they were appalled.

The day after the funeral a jury found Mr Murray, who served as Lord Mayor in 1993 to 1994, guilty of five of the six charges brought against him.

Yesterday, Fr Crean, who is based in Fethard, Tipperary, rang Mr Cotter’s family and apologised for any hurt he caused. Mr Cotter’s family confirmed that they had accepted the apology and hope the matter is now closed.

One of Mr Cotter’s daughters, Michelle, described the past week as hell.

“We were in CUH for a full week hoping and praying that my father would pull through. The upset this has caused is unbelievable,” said Ms Cotter.

Her thoughts were also with John Murray’s victim.

“Imagine the devastation this has caused the victim and her family. It was appalling,” she added.

[comment] - (Evening Echo)[/comment]