OUT WITH A BANG Boxer Pat ‘Big Bang’ Ward buried in Sligo in gleaming aluminium tricolour casket following Co Tyrone death
The Sligo native's body was found, in McCrea Park, Clogher, Co Tyrone on February 9. His grieving relatives wore 'RIP Pat' tops to remember their loved one.
By Gerry McLaughlin
22nd February 2019, 5:40 pmUpdated: 22nd February 2019, 5:41 pm
THIS is Pat Ward's final trip - and he's leaving with a Big Bang in a last, patriotic salute to the country he loved.
The Sligo boxer's life was celebrated with a flashy aluminium casket, as well as an altar bedecked with bouquets reflecting his other great loves - boxing, Manchester Utd and his local soccer team Abbey Utd.
His grieving relatives remembered the 30-year-old, nicknamed "Big Bang", with white tops, emblazoned with "RIP Pat" on their backs.
Father Pat Lombard told St Anne's Church in Sligo that this was a time of "immense tragedy" and said that violence never solves anything.
He said: “At this time of immense tragedy and sorrow we pray for the healing of peace after the events of Clogher and we commend the PSNI.
“And I would encourage everyone with relevant information to contact the PSNI or the Gardai."
The Sligo man, a member of the Travelling community, was found dead in an alleyway in McCrea Park, Clogher, Co Tyrone, on Saturday, February 9.
His body had visible stab and slash wounds.
Niall Cox, 23, and Karen Marie McDonald, 33, both of McCrea Park, Clogher, Co Tyrone, have been charged with Mr Ward’s murder on February 9.
Addressing the congregation, Fr Lombard said there was no heartache greater than that of Pat’s widow Ellie and warned violence is never the answer.
He said: "In reality it only makes a bad situation worse.
“There are never any winners and not only the families of the victims suffer but those responsible and their families too have to carry a great heartache of pain and regret.”
For Mr Ward's family, he said, it was “for the moment a nightmare with no end”.
He said: “We know the strong bonds of family that binds the Travelling community together."
This is the second tragedy to hit Mr Ward's parents Tom and Brigie, whose son Tom, Mr Ward's brother, was killed in 2007.
Fr Lombard said: “No words can adequately express what you are going through.
“From the womb to the tomb, our lives are precious, our dignity as individuals can never be measured by the house we live in, by the car we drive or the job we have.
“Our true value as human beings comes from just being who we are.”
He was taken from the church back to his original home in Joe McDonnell Drive, Cranmore, near the spot Tom was slain.
There, a horse drawn-carriage awaited to bring him on his final journey.
He is survived by his wife Ellie, children Tommy, 10, Leonie, 8, Chanara, 3, and Pat Jnr, 14 months, by his parents Tom and Brigie and brothers and sisters.