AN emotional tribute was paid to veteran SDLP politician John Dallat as people lined the route of his funeral procession in Co Derry.
Observing social distancing, friends and party colleagues stood in respectful silence as his cortege moved from his Kilrea home, followed by the 50-year-old Morris Minor Traveller he had restored and christened “Norah”.
Mr Dallat (73) died on Tuesday following a long struggle with cancer, bringing to an end a political career spanning more than 40 years.
As his plain coffin was carried into St Mary’s Church, Drumagarner, Kilrea parish priest John Cargan told the family it should be full for the assembly member’s funeral, such was the respect and affection he was held in in east Derry.
Several SDLP MLAs including leader Colum Eastwood - who could not attend the Requiem Mass because of coronavirus restrictions - instead posted fresh tributes on social media.
Fr Cargan told the small group of family mourners that Mr Dallat was a “man of light” who had a passion for rights, fairness and equality.
“John was determined but never aggressive, persuasive but never offensive. He won the respect of fellow councillors and became the first nationalist mayor of the (Coleraine) council in 2001,” he said.
Fr Cargan also paid tribute to Mr Dallat’s strong defence of the unborn and highlighted the many political campaigns he fought and the dangers he faced as a result.
“He encountered those who preferred darkness to light because their deeds were evil. These threats put his family life under immense strain and it is to his credit that he never allowed this pressure to diminish the equality of life enjoyed by the family.”
The Co Derry priest said Mr Dallat was always a welcome visitor to his parochial house where he encouraged and advised.
“Since the diagnosis of cancer he kept me fully informed of his illness and of his treatment. There were days of great hope and days of deep despair. The news that his condition was terminal caused me real sorrow,” Fr Cargan said.
Offering sympathy on behalf of Derry Bishop Donal McKeown, Fr Cargan thanked the family for their willingness in accepting the funeral restrictions imposed by the coronavirus crisis.
At the end of Requiem Mass, as Mr Dallat’s coffin was carried from St Mary’s, it was to the strains of the Derry anthem Danny Boy, played by friends Brenda O Somachain and Anne Marie Hickey.
Mr Dallat was laid to rest in the adjoining graveyard.
