Widely respected priest from Dungarvan dies at 94

Fr. Declan Deasy O.S.A., born Billy Deasy, died peacefully on September 24, 2025. The funeral took place on September 27 in St. Augustine Church, Galway City. He was buried on Monday, September 29, on Inisturk Island, Co. Mayo.

Born in 1931 in Dungarvan, Rev. Fr. John Deasy became a priest in 1958. He was a geography teacher in Carlisle, England for 20 years before travelling the world as a priest. 

He served ministries in Mexico, Cuba, Ecuador, the USA and then finally Galway. He was much loved and respected by his community.

One mourner wrote, “Thank you for sharing your gift for seeing the magic in the everyday! It feels like late October and the swallows have left, but all good things must come to an end, and so today, as you are laid to rest, we think of a life well lived and thank you for your time spent among us.” 

People from Dungarvan left condolences on RIP.ie to say that the community was saddened to hear of the loss of “a true gentleman”. 

He was pre-deceased by his parents, Geraldine and Michael, his sisters Eilish and June, and his brothers Austin, Declan, Joe and Pat.