The funeral Mass of major criminal and CAB target Ian McMorrow, who was killed in a motorbike crash last week, heard he was “no angel but he was a lovable rogue," who threw the best parties.
Father-of-three McMorrow was on a motorbike when it was involved in a collision with a car at Glencar outside Sligo town last Thursday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene while his pal on a second motorbike was rushed to hospital with injuries.
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McMorrow, who was being targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau, was described in the High Court in May as being “actively involved in the sale and supply of drugs.”
Chief mourners at his funeral Mass at St Anne’s Church in Sligo included his heartbroken partner Claudia, children Miley, Pearl and Mia, his parents Patrick and Margaret, siblings Kenneth, Leona and Eric, his Nanny Maura, extended family, friends and neighbours.
Fr Pat Lombard, parish priest extended his deepest sympathies to McMorrow’s family, saying “How tragic it is for a much loved partner and father to be gone from his family, never to come through the hall door again, never to play with and embrace the ones he loved, the ones who loved him so much. A little family left devastated by Thursday’s tragic road traffic accident.”
A family friend Tanya shared words on behalf of Ian’s family saying “Ian adored all of his family and shared a special bond with each of them and their lives won’t be the same without him.”
“He loved his partner Claudia and they brought three beautiful daughters into the world Miley, Pearl and Mia. Being their daddy is what made him the happiest and he adored them.”
“He had a heart as big as a bucket and always loved to look after his family and friends,” Tanya told mourners.
“He just had a lovely nature that money couldn’t buy and you couldn’t help but love him. He loved making people happy at home and in the community. And on all the occasions like Bonfire night, Hallowe’en, New Year’s Eve, there was no party like Ian’s party.
"He always went above and beyond and all out and left lasting memories for everyone.”
"Ian’s love for cars and bikes started early," said Tanya. "He was never without a set of keys in his hand as a child. And he would have loved the guard of honour some of his mates did yesterday. Although he would have loved nothing more than to be stuck in the middle burning rubber with them, it was a lovely touch.”
“He was no angel but he was a lovable rogue who will live on in all of our hearts," she said.
Among the symbols brought to the altar to represent Ian’s life included a Liverpool jersey and flag, a motorbike helmet and his favourite beverage.
McMorrow was a violent drug dealer with over 50 convictions with ties to Sligo gang boss Patrick Irwin, who previously was targeted by CAB.
The hood sold cannabis, cocaine and had various spells behind bars.
Sources say that he had worked mostly with violent gang boss Patrick Irwin, who was previously hit by CAB, over the years.
However, more recently father of three McMorrow had branched out and had his own crew around him.
The CAB case against McMorrow stemmed from a raid in 2021 in which a Volkswagen Golf and a cash bundle were seized along with jewellery.
And Judge Alex Owens said in May that it was “reasonable” to believe the car, two diamond rings and €5000 were funded by the “drugs trade.” McMorrow did not challenge the case to have his car and cash declared the proceeds of crime.
