Death takes place of former Bruckless parish priest Fr Dermot McShane

Fr Dermot McShane, the former parish priest of Killaghtee for more than two decades, has died.

The retired Bruckless parish priest, who was aged in his 90s, passed away on Sunday in Letterkenny University Hospital after a long illness.

From Cappagh, Teelin, where he received his primary education, he completed his secondary education in Summerhill College, Sligo and St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny.

He studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and then at the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, before being ordained in March 1958 in the Basilica of St John Lateran, Rome.

He went on to serve in Raphoe Town in 1958 and joined the teaching staff at his alma mater of St Eunan’s College in the same year. He served as a curate in Drimarone, was chaplain at Coláiste Bríde in Rann na Feirste, and was on the staff of Ard Scoil Mhuire in Derrybeg from 1961 to 1966.

He had terms as a curate in Ardara from 1966 to 1969, Leitirmacaward from 1969 to 1975 and Fintown from 1975 to 1983.

Fr McShane was appointed parish priest in Kilcar in 1983 before moving to the parish of Killaghtee in 1991 where he was based in Bruckless until 2012.

Fr McShane’s remains will be received into the Church of St Conal and St Joseph, Bruckless on Tuesday, September 15 at 5pm to repose until Rosary at 8pm.

His requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday at 12noon followed by burial in the grounds of St Columba’s Church, Carrick.

According to a death notice, he is predeceased by his parents Dorby and Ellen, his brothers Pádraig, Tomás and Conall and will be sadly missed by his cousins, Bishop Niall Coll, Bishop Philip Boyce, his fellow priests, his former housekeeper Bríd McCallig, his parishioners and a large circle of friends.