Very Rev Canon Brian McCluskey, a priest of the Diocese of Clogher and retired parish priest of Roslea, died in Belfast on Sunday, 25 October. Bishop of Clogher Larry Duffy has paid tribute to him, Northern Sound reported.

"A native of Inniskeen in the south-east of our diocese, following his ordination in 1960 he served with great generosity in a number of parishes, including a period in his native place," Bishop Duffy said. "He had a great work ethic and that resulted in him being always willing and ready to minister whenever or wherever the need called."

A Monaghan family of vocations

Canon McCluskey was from Blackstaff in the parish of Inniskeen, where his parents were teachers in the local national school. He was one of a family of eight, six of whom became priests or entered religious life.

He studied at the Pontifical Irish College and was ordained at the Lateran Archbasilica in Rome on 12 March 1960. His appointments included:

He later moved to Belfast. The Fermanagh Herald said parishioners in Roslea were saddened by the news.

Funeral arrangements

According to the published arrangements, he reposes at O'Kanes Funeral Home, Donegall Street, Belfast, on Tuesday, 27 October, from 3pm to 5pm, before being received into St Brigid's Church, Derryvolgie Avenue, at 6.30pm. Requiem Mass is at St Brigid's at 12 noon on Wednesday, 28 October, followed by burial in St Joseph's Cemetery, Latlurcan, Monaghan, with arrival expected at about 3pm.