Paddy was a 'very generous, kind and good person', mourners told

“It is so important that people speak and share.”

That was the message from Father Brendan Corrigan to the large crowd that packed into St James's Church in Kilbeggan for Paddy Dunican's funeral Mass earlier today.

In his homily, Fr Corrigan said that everyone knows that Paddy, whose tragic death on Saturday plunged his home village and the racing community into mourning, was “ a very kind, generous and good person”.

“Paddy loved telling stories and he could sit for hours drinking cups of tea, talking and telling stories. He would never do anyone a bad turn and always wanted to be positive and helpful with other people.

“He always wanted to be there and be kind. Paddy has connections everywhere. There are people from all walks of society who are here today to pay their respects to Paddy and to pray for him.

"Recently we saw him on TV with the Rotary Club, who were teaching children to be safe and be seen. Then we saw him at Cheltenham in the winners enclosure.

"Paddy was deeply involved in the ploughing competitions and he is known the length and breadth of the country for his work with them. There is not a town or a county where Paddy does not have acquaintances. He seemed to know everyone and he treated everyone with great respect and would listen to them and speak to them.

“Of course, we all know that Paddy's greatest joy was the racecourse, some people called him Mr Kilbeggan Races. He always was an ambassador for the racecourse. As manager, Paddy did a great job giving hundreds of thousands of euros to sponsor races, getting horses to come to run in Kilbeggan from the best stables, even Grand National winners.”

While Paddy achieved great things and won many awards for the racecourse during his 30 plus years as manager, Fr Corrigan said that “behind this there was a man who felt isolated and alone”.

“Suicide happens when our pain exceeds our ability to cope and this pain can have multiple and interconnected sources. Death is not a choice, it is more a succumbing to internal pressure. That is why it is so important that people speak and people share.

“As I said last night, look at all the people here who Paddy could have talked to, who could have helped him, who could have relieved the pain and pressure he felt.

“It is so important to speak. It relieves the pressure that we are under and it gives us a chance to get things into focus. All our problems can pass. Death leaves pain and suffering behind and it cannot be undone.

“This is the church where Paddy came to pray. He was here at some of the Easter ceremonies and joined us in our prayers as we reflected on the death and resurrection of Jesus...We offer our Mass and our prayers for Paddy and we ask the Lord to lighten all the burdens from his shoulders and to give him the peace of being able to see our Father's heavenly smile.

"We pray also for his family and all those who mourn this loss. It's a pity Paddy had to die. We pray that he may have peace and happiness now forever.”

Among those in attendance at the funeral was Captain Paul O'Donnell, aide de camp to President Michael D Higgins.

Predeceased by his parents, Paul and Crissie. Paddy is fondly remembered by his siblings, Rosemary, Gemma, Grainne, Nicholas, Peter, Aoife, his nieces, nephews, relatives, colleagues and his many friends.