O'Hanlon, Fr. Tommy
June 09, 2010
Tarbert priest supported Pakastani civil rights
One of North Kerry's best known missionaries and former All-Ireland winning Kerry minor captain is to be buried in Pakistan following his sudden death in that country this week - only days before a trip home he had intended making.
Fr Tommy O'Hanlon's death in Lahore at only 64 years of age caused deep shock in his native Tarbert this week as the news spread across the parish. The Dooncaha native had intended travelling home last week.
A Columban father, who captained the Kerry minors to All-Ireland victory in 1962, Fr O'Hanlon had been in Pakistan for 28 years where he was an integral part of the often-difficult Columban missions in the capital.
Indeed, Fr O'Hanlon had an active role in the civil rights movement in the country many years ago and was highly-regarded by all he worked with during his three decades there.
He began work on the missions in the Philippines, which was his first posting after his ordination in Tarbert in the 1960s following his years in the Delgany Park seminary in Navan.
A Regular visitor home, Fr O'Hanlon never lost touch with his siblings, their spouses and his many relatives and friends all over the country; even managing to follow his beloved gaelic football every year.
His physical fitness and love of the great outdoors was also recalled by friends and family this week, in particular his affection for the Gap of Dunloe; a trek he always tried to get in on his visits home.
His sudden death came only months after his brother Johnny passed away-which happened the same day Fr O'Hanlon had flown back to Pakistan following a Christmas visit to Kerry. Fr O'Hanlon is survived by brothers, Fr James O'Hanlon, Ned, Paddy, Michael, sisters Eilleen, Noreen, Breda Brassil and Mary Flynn, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, relatives and friends
Courtesy of the Kerryman
9th June, 2010
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