A parish priest originally from Co Tyrone has died suddenly less than two weeks after taking up a new position.
The death of 49-year-old Fr Mark O’Hagan has prompted tributes across the Dundalk parish where he served for more than two decades.
The Coalisland native’s death was announced by St Patrick’s Parish in Dundalk, which said they are “saddened to share the news of the sudden death of our previous parish priest”.
Gardaí attended the scene following a report of the discovery of the body of a male at a residence in Ardee, Co Louth, in the early hours of Friday.
A Garda spokesperson said. “His body has been conveyed to the mortuary at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for post-mortem examination… the results of which will determine the course of the investigation.”
Fr Mark spent 22 years in Dundalk from shortly after his ordination prior to taking up a new position as parish priest of Ardee, Collon and Ballapousta Parish on September 6.
“I am leaving with a heavy heart…my whole ministry has been in Dundalk,” he told a local newspaper ahead of his departure from St Patrick’s at the end of August.
Parishioners expected to gather at the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Ardee on Friday evening
Ardee and Collon said it is “with deep sadness that we share the very sad news of the unexpected death this morning of our parish priest”.
“We mourn such a profound loss and especially remember Fr. Mark’s family in our prayers in these days.”
Parishioners were planning to gather on Friday evening at the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Ardee for prayer and “for the consolation of all those who mourn his passing”.
Fr Mark said his first Mass at the Church of Mary Immaculate in Collon just last Sunday, with one parishioner recalling him speaking “enthusiastically about his plans for the next 10 years and then his retirement”.
The Order of Malta Ireland’s Dundalk Ambulance Corps, in a tribute on social media, said: “During his many years of service, he touched the lives of countless people through his kindness, dedication and commitment to his parish community.”
Dundalk South Councillor Sionainn McCann wrote: “Terrible news. Fr. Mark originally from Coalisland always had a smile and joke ready. He cared deeply about the town and will be sorely missed.”
Fr Mark was until last month parish priest of St Patrick’s in Dundalk
During his time in Dundalk, he was curate, administrator and then parish priest. Fr Mark studied business and worked at the Europa Hotel in Belfast before he was called to pursue his vocation.
In an interview with the Argus newspaper in Dundalk ahead of leaving his previous parish, Fr Mark said his ministry “has always been one of serving the people”.
He said: “It’s with a very heavy heart that I am leaving, but that is part of the priesthood. My whole ministry has been in Dundalk so it will be strange going somewhere else.”