Heartfelt tributes paid following death of Monsignor Richard Mohan

'His presence at and around events brought out many witty and amusing encounters in a sport'

Tributes have been paid following the passing of Monsignor Richard (Dick ) Mohan.

A retired Parish Priest of Clones in Co Monaghan, Monsignor Mohan was also the former Prior of Lough Derg and for many years the Diocesan Religious Advisor to schools across the region.

In a heartfelt tribute posted to social media, members of the Monaghan Motorsport community expressed their sadness at the death of their "esteemed" club member.

From his early years as a teacher in St. Macartan's College, the local sporting club said that the Monsignor's enthusiasm sparked the interest in some of the boys in the sport and that interest often stayed with them.

The late Monsignor Mohan served on the committee of the club for a number of years until his diocesan duties took him into other areas, however it is his role as a competitor which he will be remembered most for according to the club.

"We can recall him compete in full rally mode effective in his Escort RS2000 or his Ford Capri in many Navigation Rallies spread over several years. A number of navigators sat with him to plot their way through the old ½ inch Ordnance Survey maps during these years.

"Among his navigators were Benny Cadden and Gerry McKenna now deceased, others included Jim Moore, Joe Wedlock and Mervyn Wedlock. Dick’s finishing rate in events was excellent and record shows how he and his various navigators won many class awards.

"In addition to all of the above, his presence at and around events brought out many witty and amusing encounters in a sport, by its nature, well removed from the liturgical setting of the sanctuary. His wonderful ability to cultivate friendships widely, together with his great pastoral support, that he is renowned for, will live on in the memory of all who remembered him."

Elsewhere, commenting on the death of Monsignor Mohan, the Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Larry Duffy said: "The death of Monsignor Mohan has come as a great shock to myself and to all who knew him - especially his family. the parishioners of Clones and the diocese of Clogher.

"Throughout his priestly ministry, he gave great service to people of all ages and in various places. He was a very competent catechist who is remembered with great fondness by the many people with whom he came in contact through his 12 years working in our primary schools as Diocesan Religious Advisor.

"His time at Lough Derg was a period of development and change, and being a man of vision and openness to the Lord, he managed that well. Above all, Fr Dick was a priest whose priesthood was rooted in walking with Christ every day.

"He fulfilled that ministry of Christ’s love right up to the final hours of his life. May the Lord now grant him eternal peace in the fullness of God’s Kingdom."

The Funeral Mass of Monsignor Richard (Dick) Mohan will take place in the Sacred Heart Church, Clones at twelve noon tomorrow.

Burial afterwards in St Joseph's Cemetery, Coonian.