A priest who bravely fought Motor Neurone Disease (MND) will be laid to rest this weekend following his untimely death.
Father Tony Coote, 55, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday after battling illness for over a year.
Last year, the courageous cleric from Kilmacud in Dublin, took on the challenge of walking 550km from Donegal to Cork to raise awareness about MND and funds for research.
He raised €600,000 from the 'Walk While You Can' challenge and cameras followed his progress for an RTE documentary as he opened up about facing death.
Father Tony led a growing army of supporters on his journey from Letterkenny to Ballydehob alongside his brothers Kieran, Pat and David.
Even though he knew he was deteriorating, Fr Tony refused to take a break and even stopped off to say Mass in Knock.
He said: “I always believed life is a journey to a destination and that destination is heaven. I’m not going as slowly as I thought to that destination.
“Even with my illness I still treasure what I have. It’s a different kind of life but I treasure it.”
A death notice posted on RIP.ie reads: “Beloved son of Patricia and the late Patrick and brother of David, Kieran and Pat.
“Very sadly missed by his family, sisters-in-law Nicky and Michelle, nieces and nephews Tom, Lily, Charlie and Tara, Jasmyn, Khloe, and Eve, Rían, Oscar and Mikey, his great friends, cousins, extended family, colleagues in Dublin Diocese and many parishioners.”
Removal will take place on Sunday, September 1, to the Church of St. Laurence O’Toole, Kilmacud, arriving at 6pm.
A Requiem Mass will be held for Fr Coote on Monday, September 2, at 11.30am in the Church of St. Thérèse, Mount Merrion, followed by private burial.
