Northern Ireland

McDonagh funeral: Violence has become 'too easy'

James McDonagh's coffin leaves Holy Family Church in Coalisland yesterday. Picture by Ann McManus
James McDonagh's coffin leaves Holy Family Church in Coalisland yesterday. Picture by Ann McManus James McDonagh's coffin leaves Holy Family Church in Coalisland yesterday. Picture by Ann McManus

VIOLENCE has become "too easy and too acceptable" in modern society, a priest has told the funeral of murder victim James McDonagh.

Hundreds of mourners packed into Holy Family Church in Coalisland, Co Tyrone yesterday for Requiem Mass for the 28-year-old.

The father-of-two, from a Travelling background in Castledawson, Co Derry, died after an assault outside the Elk bar and nightclub complex on the Hillhead Road, Toomebridge in the early hours of Sunday January 11.

Coalisland parish priest Fr Paul Byrne said it was another example of how "life is considered a disposable commodity".

"Life is a gift from God. We have no hold over it. We are called to cherish and respect life. Unfortunately there are times in our world when people don't appreciate life," he said.

"Today we gather in complete dismay and even a state of shock and anger that Jim has been taken from us in circumstances that could and should have been avoided."

He added: "Violence has become too easy and too acceptable. Respect for life needs to be re-established in our world."

Fr Byrne called on people to show forgiveness and to desist from any acts of revenge against those involved in Mr McDonagh's death.

"Those who attacked Jim were, like Jim, also graced with baptismal water. Each of them is loved and forgiven by the heavenly Father.

"God the Father never calls for retribution. He calls us to forgive even when our deepest instinct is for revenge. To be truly Christian is to be truly merciful and giving."

Fr Byrne added: "Nobody can hurt Jim again. One day we will joyfully greet him again."

On Thursday there was heavy security in Derry when 24-year-old Finbar McCoy, from Loughbeg Road in Toomebridge, appeared in court charged with murder.

The court heard that Mr McDonagh had been punched in the face and fell backwards, suffering a blow to the back of his head.

McCoy, who appeared with his right hand bandaged, was remanded in custody until February 11.

A police officer told the court that when charged he said: "I can't put words together to say how sorry I am. I feel so sorry for the McDonagh family but I did not murder James McDonagh."

In a separate development, a 33-year-woman detained in Banbridge on Saturday morning and questioned on suspicion of withholding information has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.