FULL MILITARY honours were bestowed at the funeral in Limerick yesterday of a young father who died in a road crash.
Alec Murphy (26), Crossagalla, Old Cork Road, Limerick, was killed last Sunday afternoon after his motorcycle was involved in a collision with a 4x4 vehicle on the N24 near the Caherconlish junction in Co Limerick.
Mr Murphy, who had been in the Naval Service for seven years, was a trainee technician based at the National Maritime College in Cork.
Large crowds attended his funeral Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Janesboro yesterday where the funeral march was played by the band of the First Southern Brigade.
Cmdr Mark Mallett, flag officer with the Naval Service, led the military mourners, while Naval chaplain Des Campion concelebrated the mass.
Parish priest Fr Pat O’Sullivan thanked the Naval Service and Mr Murphy’s friends from the Bike Club for their support.
“Even though Alec’s family are greatly saddened, they are still celebrating his contribution and his presence in their family. They will deeply miss him,” Fr O’Sullivan said.
Naval personnel formed a guard of honour as Mr Murphy’s coffin, draped in the Tricolour, was taken from the church.
He was buried at Mount Saint Oliver Cemetery, where his Naval colleagues fired a gun salute.
The father of one is survived by his parents Alec and Bernie, son Ruairí and sisters Michelle and Melissa.