A MAN of energy and generosity, who made a lasting impression on others, was how Ryan Doyle was remembered at his funeral Mass last Wednesday.
The Leitrim man died in Perth last month after being knocked down by a taxi he had just got out of. A taxi driver has since been charged with causing his death by dangerous driving.
Mr. Doyle had been living in the city on the west coast of Australia with two of his brothers.
Requiem Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Castlewellan, was celebrated by Fr. Peter McNeill and presided over by the Bishop of Dromore, Rt. Rev. John McAreavey.
Fr. McNeill spoke of the 25 year-old’s love for life and “winning smile”.
“He was a man of energy and life, someone who made a large impression on people’s lives,” the priest said.
“He had a generous nature in terms of reaching out to his friends....the number of people he got work out there.”
Fr. McNeill said it was Mr. Doyle’s determination to find employment that had took him from Down to Australia four years ago.
“He was a worker by nature, not a person to sit at home idle,” the priest said. “He wished to be busy. He had made an impact out there among his friends and the number of friends he had built up.”
The bricklayer’s generosity was remembered as was the close relationship he enjoyed with his four siblings and their parents.
Items including a photograph of Mr. Doyle, an Australian flag and one from his GAA club, a hurl, hard hat and hammer were presented during Mass.
Mr. Doyle had been a member of GAA Club Liatroim Fontenoys and club members formed a guard of honour at his funeral.