Shock and sadness spread through Abbeyleix and Ballyroan on Wednesday evening as news broke that Parish Priest Fr John Cummins had passed away.
Originally from Newbridge, the well-known Parish Priest was killed following a tragic accident at his home on the Ballinakill road.
Portlaoise Parish have tweeted details of his funeral and they are as follows:
“Reception of remains Abbeyleix Church 6.30pm Friday. Requiem Mass 12noon Saturday.
“Following requiem Mass he will be returning to his family home in Newbridge. Following 11am Mass Monday in Newbridge Parish Church interment will take place in St Conleths Cemetery, Newbridge.”
Fr Cummins had only taken the post in the area in 2017, but left a lasting presence on all those who knew him.
Abbeyleix councillor John Joe Fennelly described Fr Cummins’s ‘tremendous impact on the community’.
“He had a tremendous impact on the community. He was just coming back from the Grandparents Day in the local primary school when the freak incident happened.”
“He was involved in everything. From St Vincent de Paul to Christmas parties to the school. The community is devastated today,” said Fennelly.
Ballyroan native and fellow Portlaoise municipal district councillor Mary Sweeney spoke at length about the impact Fr Cummins had on the Ballyroan community.
“I would like to pay respect to his family first and foremost. Fr Cummins was a much-loved priest and there was a deep fondness and regard for him in the community.
“He was a very gentle person and very endearing. What I thought was particularly unique regarding Father Cummins is that he had a lovely ritual of waiting to speak to people outside after Mass.”
“He was always very pleasant and there is a deep sadness in the community.”
SEE ALSO – Tributes paid to ‘much-loved, gentle and endearing’ Abbeyleix parish priest
