THERE were emotional scenes at Castletownbere and on Bere Island yesterday as the funeral took place of the trawler skipper who died in a collision at sea last Sunday.
Castletownbere came to a standstill as thousands of people lined the streets of the fishing town to pay a final tribute to Mr Danny "Boy" O'Driscoll (42). Fishermen from all around the coast were in Castletownbere for the funeral of the popular skipper.
In a poignant farewell as the remains were being taken to the island by the Bere Island ferry, Misneach, for burial, a flotilla of trawlers and other vessels escorted the ferry out of Castletownbere.
At the Church of the Sacred Heart in Castletownbere, where concelebrated Requiem Mass was offered, there were dozens of floral tributes from fishermen's organisations throughout Ireland.
Mr O'Driscoll's fisherman's cap was placed on his coffin in the church. Children from the Castletownbere primary school carried many wreaths, some in the shape of a trawler, into the church. All vessels in Castletownbere flew their flags at half-mast.
The chief celebrant, Father Sean O Se, said the tragedy had shocked Castletownbere, leaving it stunned and helpless. Mr O'Driscoll's popularity in the town and the devastating suddenness of his death made it even harder to bear. He was a hardworking, quiet-spoken and unassuming man.
Father O Se said the huge congregation was proof that the entire town felt deep sympathy for the O'Driscoll family and friends. The presence of so many people was also a gesture of sympathy to the surviving crew members, Mr Redmond Kelly and Mr Pat Joe O'Driscoll.
After Mass, the coffin was borne by Mr O'Driscoll's fishing colleagues to Castletowbere pier where, again, thousands of people stood in tribute. A naval guard of honour, comprising crew members of the LE Ciara, saluted as the coffin was being taken on board the ferry.
The flotilla then sailed to nearby Bere Island where church bells rang out as the Misneach entered the harbour. In a traditional island mark of respect, the islanders lined the cliffs above the harbour as the flotilla neared shore. Mr O'Driscoll was buried at St Michael's Cemetery on the island.
The Fianna Fail spokesman on the marine, Mr Michael Smith, who attended the funeral in a private capacity, said he had come to Castletownbere to sympathise with the family of Mr O'Driscoll.
The tragedy should not have happened, he added, and illustrated once again that the life of a fisherman was not one without risks. This fact was often not appreciated by the general public. Mr Smith said he would make no comment about the sinking by the Spanish vessel, the Sea Horse, of Mr O'Driscoll's trawler, the Exodus, as the matter was before the courts.
Lieut-Cdr Mark Mellett, captain of the LE Ciara, represented the Naval Service at the funeral. The chief mourners were Mr O'Driscoll's mother, Mrs Marc O'Driscoll and his sister, Mrs Rosemary O'Driscoll. Mr O'Driscoll's companion, Ms Geraldine O'Neill, was among the congregation.