THE funeral has taken place of one of the Derry diocese's longest serving priests.
Fr George Doherty (87), who died on Christmas morning, served as a priest for more than 60 years until recent ill health forced him to step down.
A native of Carndonagh in Co Donegal, his family was known as the Doherty Saddlers to distinguish them from others of the same name in the area.
After attending the local St Patrick’s National School and St Columb’s college in Derry, Fr Doherty studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College Maynooth.
He was ordained in 1954 and appointed curate at Greencastle where he remained until 1957.
Following four years in Glenullin in south Derry, Fr Doherty moved to Lavey where he spent two years before moving on to Dungiven.
In 1972, he was appointed curate at Drung on the banks of Lough Foyle in his native Inishowen.
Two years later he moved to Killyclogher in Co Tyrone where he served until his appointment as parish priest of Donagheady in 1983.
After more than 20 years in Donemana, Fr Doherty retired at the age of 75 but continued to serve as a priest in Buncrana where he remained until ill health recently forced him to give up his ministry.
He was buried earlier this week following funeral Mass at Desertegney in Buncrana.
Derry diocesan spokesman Fr Michael Canny said Fr Doherty had served the diocese for more than 60 years.
“Father Doherty’s death is deeply regretted by the bishops, priests and people of the diocese of Derry,” he said.
