News

Family left 'stunned' by tributes to priest

THE family of popular west Belfast priest Fr Matt Wallace told yesterday how they were "absolutely stunned" by the support and tributes in the wake of his death.

The community was left in shock by the death of the Turf Lodge parish priest who took his own life two weeks ago.

Fr Wallace (69), who was parish priest at Holy Trinity, was based in west Belfast for four decades.

His death followed a number of months on sick leave.

Following huge tributes in the wake of his death his family decided to lay him to rest in Milltown Cemetery because they felt "this is where he really belongs".

Speaking yesterday from Wexford his brother James said the family was "absolutely stunned with the tributes paid".

"It was amazing to see the whole turn out," he said.

"We were absolutely overwhelmed by it. It was something we didn't expect.

"We didn't expect that he had that impact. When he came home he would be very low key."

Mr Wallace said they were overwhelmed to hear he had touched so many lives.

However, he said he hoped what had happened would help people "understand the difficulties that priests have".