Retired sacristan of church in Tipperary receives Papal honour

Above: Eddie Sweetman, second from left, was joined by Mayor of Clonmel Richie Molloy (left), Canon Billy Meehan, Parish Priest of St Mary’s, Irishtown, and Deputy Mattie McGrath when he received his Benemerenti Medal at St Mary’s Church last week. Picture: Courtesy of St Mary’s Facebook page

Eddie Sweetman, the retired sacristan of St Mary’s Church in Irishtown, Clonmel, was presented with a very well deserved Benemerenti Medal last week.

This medal is issued by the Pope for service to the Catholic Church.

Eddie was joined by a gathering of family, friends, local clergy, the Mayor of Clonmel Richie Molloy and councillors on this auspicious occasion at St Mary’s.

91-year-old Eddie, from Heywood Road, gave 40 years of service as sacristan and is held in great affection not only by all parishioners but by people throughout the town.

He took up the role in October 1979 when he replaced Paddy Fitzgerald, who had retired.

He was previously employed by Clonmel Foods in Upper Irishtown.

Canon Billy Meehan, Parish Priest of St Mary’s, has stated that Eddie gave unqualified service and dedication in his role.

“He was always available to listen to parishioners’ anxieties and queries, and was an immense support to all the priests who served in the parish over the last 40 years,” Canon Meehan stated when Eddie celebrated his 91st birthday last December.

“He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the people of the parish, and was a constant source of information to the priests.

“He is above all a deeply spiritual person, always willing to give up his time and knowledge to the people,” Canon Meehan added.

Eddie is wished many more years of health and happiness.