Ronan's memory lives on

TRIBUTES have been paid to “a precious son and beloved brother” who died following a tragic accident in Dublin.

Ronan Rafferty's loved ones and many friends were devastated when his action-packed life was cruelly cut short at Sandymount Pier during Storm Diana on November 29.

The 41-year-old, who has been described as “unforgettable,” grew up in Coleraine and attended Loreto and Dominican College before leaving the North Coast at the age of 19 to follow his many dreams.

His school friends, who remained close to Ronan during his life, were among those who spoke fondly of him at his funeral service at St Malachy’s Church in Coleraine, on Monday, December 3,

The many mourners who turned up to pay their last respects to Ronan heard how he was “full of a unique energy and didn't stop going until the day he died.”

SDLP councillor Stephanie Quigley was among those who attended the Requiem Mass. She said Ronan's unexpected death had shocked the local community.

Cllr Quigley added: “It was a huge shock. Ronan had been very well, happy-go-lucky and a very gentle, kind and tender-hearted man. I understand this was a freak accident and came completely out of the blue. The funeral service was one of the biggest I’ve ever seen in the parish.”

Cllr Quigley added: “This guy was deeply loved, he had a great sense of humour and obviously his parents are heartbroken. Ronan was so well thought of and there were people of all ages at the funeral service. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family.”

*For more on this see this week's Coleraine Chronicle.