Ardara Priest 'stunned, shocked and saddened' following Stephen McCahill passing

The Parish Priest of Ardara and Kilclooney has said his local parishioners were “stunned, shocked, and saddened,” following the death of Stephen McCahill.

Fr Aodhan Cannon spoke after the 66-year-old McCahill, affectionately known as ‘Mr Ardara’, died following a fatal assault.

A Rosary service in memory of Stephen McCahill is due to take place at 8pm on January 6, at The Church of the Holy Family, in Ardara, following evening Mass, which begins at 7.30pm. 

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Fr Cannon said: “Words just can’t describe how we felt and how people generally felt when they heard the sad news of Stephen’s tragic death.

“Stephen was very involved in so many things in our community and our parish. He was on our Parish Pastor Council. He was on the finance committee. He was a valued member of our praying community here in Ardara.

“Generally, anything that happened, Stephen was behind it. All my parishioners are stunned, shocked, and saddened. There are so many other emotions they are feeling as well.”