Northern Ireland

Co Tyrone cleric Fr Brian Hackett 'a true gentleman'

Fr Brian Hackett passed away last Thursday
Fr Brian Hackett passed away last Thursday Fr Brian Hackett passed away last Thursday

A Co Tyrone priest described as a "true gentleman and friend to everyone" was laid to rest yesterday.

Tributes have been paid to Fr Brian Hackett from Coaslisland, who passed away on Thursday of last week.

Several parishes where he served have shared memories of the 81-year-old cleric, with parishioners and friends paying tribute to a "lovely man and a great priest".

Ordained in 1962, he worked with the Chile-Columban Fathers until 1968 before serving as a curate in Faughart, near Dundalk in Co Louth, and Magherafelt, Co Derry.

He was parish priest in Tandragee from 1994 to 2002 and then became Pastor Emeritus at Ballygawley from 2002 to 2015.

During this period, he became the family priest to Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte.

He comforted the family following the death of Mr Harte's daughter Michaela McAreavey while on honeymoon in 2011.

In a statement on Facebook, the parish of Magherafelt and Castledawson said Fr Hackett, who was curate from 1981 to 1994, would be "fondly remembered".

It added: "We extend our deepest sympathies to his entire family circle. May he rest in peace".

Faughart parish also said it was "saddened to hear of the death of Fr Brian Hackett".

"Fr Brian was originally from Main Street, Coalisland," it said.

"He was curate in our parish from 1968 until 1981 and many will have fond memories of his time in Faughart."

Coalisland Fianna GFC also paid tribute to the cleric, commenting on social media that the club was "saddened to hear of the death of Fr Brian Hackett".

"He was a member of the 1955 Fianna team that won the O'Neill Cup," the club said.

"He was later made honorary president of Errigal Ciaran."

Dozens of other tributes have been paid to Fr Hackett, describing him as a "kind, warm, funny and very holy man".

Another tribute said he was "such a lovely man and a great priest", while another said he was a "gentleman and a real character who was liked and loved by all".

Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballygawley, yesterday followed by burial at St Matthew's Cemetery, Garvaghy.