
A GROUP of scrambler motorbike riders led the funeral of their friend Anthony โDoueyโ McCormack to his final resting place after he died in a motorcycle collision last weekend.
The 26-year-old father of two from Derrynane, Old Cork Road, Limerick, was remembered at his funeral mass this afternoon as โa lovable rogueโ who was devoted to his children and motorbikes.
He died instantly when his motorcycle struck a wall and metal fence, at OโMalley Park, Southill last Sunday afternoon.
A group of his friends on scrambler motorbikes, led the funeral cortรจge from St Johnโs Cathedral, Limerick City, to his grave nearby at Mount St Oliver Cemetery.
Speaking at the funeral Mass, Mr McCormackโs sister, Stacie Bourke, said her brother โloved so many things, and unfortunately he loved motorbikes, but what he loved more than anything else were his two babies, Ajay and Melanie; they were the greatest gifts he ever had, and he would have walked over mountains for themโ.
โAnthony was a lovable rogue, a real family man, our protector and our back up. Some of you might have seen him as a tough guy but I knew him as my little brother, and I was the only one who was able to call him โlittle brother.โ
โWhen we were younger he would have done anything to play with me – Barbie dolls, house, dress up, yes I put him in my dresses, shoes, heels, mamโs jewellery, the whole lot. Mam has photographic evidence if youโd like to see it, heโll probably come back and haunt me for telling ye that,โ she joked.
Becoming emotional, Ms Bourke thanked โthe community, family and friends, everyone who has come and given support this past weekโ.
She received a loud applause from the congregation as she summed up the tragic impact of her brotherโs death on the family: โSo we say our goodbye โAntโ, we love you so much, our family chain is broken once again and nothing seems the same, but when God calls us one by one, our chain will link again.โ
Several family members left items personal to Mr McCormack beside his coffin including, a picture of his children โa symbol of his proudest achievementโ; a print of his hand symbolising โhis strength and the size of his heartโ; a bottle of red sauce โas a symbol of Anthonyโs love of food because red sauce went with everything he ateโ; a wooden box representing his love of woodwork; and โhis festival hat, symbolising hisย love of music festivalsโ.
Fr Tom Mangan, Parish Priest Donoughmore, described Mr McCormackโs sudden death as a terrible and awful tragedy.
โAnthony loved his motorcycles and he was always very careful on them, but sadly and terribly on Sunday afternoon, something happened that created all of this, so his loss has been so difficult and so sad, and so overwhelming.โ
Fr Mangan who praised the โstrong bondโ of the family, told them: โAs youโre grieving, youโve talked a lot, there have been moments of terrible silence, tears, laughter and sharing memories, and that is important, to have some way to find a little bit of healing through all of thisโ.
Gardai at Roxboro Road who are investigating the circumstances of the single vehicle collision have appealed for witnesses to contact them on 061-214340.