LORD BISHOP PRESIDES

Large Attendance of Clergy and Laity.

"For close on fifty years he stood before priests and people a symbol of priestly sanctity."
This was the beautiful tribute paid to the late Rev. P. Mckeefry the revered parish priest of Dungiven, by the Rev. C. McGoldrick, C.C. in the course of an eloquent panegyric at the obsequies in St Patrick's Church on Monday.

The attendance of clergy and laity at the funeral could not have been more representative of the Catholic life of the diocese and constituted a wonderful manifestation of the high esteem in which the deceased was held by his colleagues in the sacred ministry, and by the people for whom he laboured so unselfishly during his 48 years in the priesthood.
Most Rev Dr O'Kane, Lord Bishop of Derry, presided at the solemn ceremonies and there were upwards of seventy priests in the choir.
In the attendance of laity practically every Catholic household in the extensive parish was represented. There were many present from the neighbouring parish of Banagher and several other parts, from Derry City, County Derry, Tyrone and Donegal, where the late Fr McKeefry's name holds an honoured place in the affections of a wide circle of friends whose sorrow at his passing is no less keen than that of the parishioners of Dungiven where he was especially beloved by his flock.

The church was packed to capacity during the obsequies.

The celebrant of the Mass was the Rev. W. O'Neill, P.P., Cappagh, the deacon the Rev. P. J. Kelly, P.P., Banagher, the sub-deacon, Rev. J. McKenna, P.P., Garvagh, and the master of ceremonies, Rev. J. Bonner, Adm., St Eugene's Cathedral Derry.
The chanters were Rev. C. McGoldrick, C.C., Dungiven, Rev W. Dolan, C.C., Iskaheen, and the Rev. A. Doherty, C.C., Maghera.

The chief mourners were - Mrs Michael McKenna, Lavey (niece); Mr N Mulholland, Lavey (nephew); Mr M McKenna, Mr P McKenna, Miss Tohill, Magherafelt; Miss Mooney, Swatragh; Miss Tohill and Mr A Tohill, Kilrea; Mr C Mulholland, Kilrea; Mr F McKenna, solicitor, Kilrea; Miss M McKenna, Convent, Kilkeel; and Mr B. McKeefry, Craigavole (relatives.)