By PATSY McARDLE
BUSINESS in Castleblayney came to a standstill on Saturday last, and a pall of grief shrouded the mid-Monaghan town for the weekend, as the funeral took place of 47-years-old local father of two, Stephen Marron, who was killed in Main Street, on the previous Tuesday night, when he was seated in his parked vehicle which was struck by a speeding car that was involved in a garda chase.
Several hundred people attended the removal of the remains, requiem mass, and funeral, at St. Mary’s Church, Castleblayney, of Mr. Marron from Beech Drive, Drumillard, whose tragic death shocked the entire community. He was fatally injured while sitting in his car in the town centre when another car, being pursued by gardai, careered into his stationery vehicle. Garda Michael Devlin, from Monaghan, was dragged by about 500 metres along the street by the car which was being chased, after he managed to put an arm inside the pursued vehicle, in a bid to prevent the driver from making a getaway.
The driver had called to Castleblayney Garda station but when he was recognized by Garda Devlin, who sought to query him about an alleged incident in the past, he ran out and drove off, with Garda Devlin attempting to force him to stop. The garda sustained injuries to his face, arm, and leg, but was subsequently discharged from Our Lady of Lourdes’ Hospital in Drogheda, after treatment.
Hundreds of people lined the streets on Saturday as the cortege moved from the residence of the victim’s parents, Frank and Josephine Marron, at The Crescent in Castleblayney. And the light 10 a.m. drizzle abated, while there was a brief prayer by the mourners at a pedestrian standard in Upper Main Street, where the fatal crash occurred. It was already draped with floral tributes in memory of a popular townsman who had endeared himself to the local community Guards of honour were provided for the cortege by members of Castleblayney GAA hurling club, the local…