Beloved Malin Priest Fr. Tom Mullin Laid to Rest

The death has taken place at Nazareth House, Fahan, of Fr Tom Mullin, late of Bree, Malin Head, and formerly of the Diocese of Salford, Manchester. 

Fr Mullin was a deeply respected and much-loved priest whose long life of quiet service left a lasting impression on the many communities he served.

Born in 1934, Fr. Tom was the youngest of four children, predeceased by his brother Jim Mullin, sisters Teresa McLaughlin and Mary Mullin. 

The loss of Fr. Tom is deeply regretted by his sister-in-law, Patricia Mullin, along with his Mullin and McLaughlin (Sheosa) nieces and nephews.

Fr Mullin received his early education at St Columb’s College, Derry, and St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, before answering his vocation to the priesthood. He was ordained on 31st May 1959 for the Diocese of Salford.

His priestly ministry began as a curate at St Edward’s, Rusholme, where he served until 1966. He then moved to St Hubert’s, Great Harwood, remaining there until 1972, followed by his final curacy at St Christopher’s, Hurst Cross, where he served until 1977.

In that year, Fr Mullin was appointed Parish Priest of St Mary’s, Islington, Blackburn, where he ministered for four years. In 1981, he took up his longest and perhaps best-remembered appointment as Parish Priest of St Matthew’s, Winton, a role he fulfilled faithfully for 25 years until his retirement in 2006.

Following his retirement, Fr Mullin returned home to Bree, Malin, where he remained closely connected to parish life and community. Since 2019, he had been a resident at Nazareth House, Fahan, where he was cared for with great kindness. He recently celebrated his 91st birthday.

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Fr Tom’s life and ministry were summed up beautifully during his funeral mass by Malin Parish Priest Fr Peter Devlin, who remarked: “He never made a fuss. But he was all the time thinking about God and thinking about people.”

Fr Devlin, who celebrated Fr Mullin’s requiem mass at St Mary’s Church, Lagg, on Sunday, December 21st, also noted that Fr Mullin was a priest who was especially attentive to the sick, offering quiet presence and comfort without seeking recognition.

Fr. Tom Mullin was laid to rest following his requiem mass, with interment in the adjoining cemetery, surrounded by family, fellow clergy, and parishioners who came to give thanks for a life of faithful service.