THE CONNAUGHT JOURNAL Galway, Monday, February 23, 1824 PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD (From the Limerick Observer) The following communication has been sent to our Office:- This evening (Tuesday) the body of Captain Durack, an old and respected citizen of Limerick, was brought for interment to St. John's church-yard in this city. Captain Durack having been a Roman Catholic gentleman, his funeral was attended by the Rev. Mr. McCarthy, Roman Catholic Clergyman of Tarbert, where the Captain lately resided. The Catholic Clergyman proceeded to read the prayers for the dead over the grave of the deceased, when he was interrupted by the Sexton who claimed a monopoly of prayers in that place. The Sexton, however, being very drunk, was not attended to, and the ceremony proceeded. At this time it is stated, Mr. Fitzgibbon, the Vicar of St. John's, arrived, and taking the part of the drunken Sexton, again attempted to interrupt the ceremony. But it appears that the sober opposition of the Reverend Gentleman was as unavailing as the drunken zeal of the Sexton. The ceremony continued. In this utter failure of the arm of the spirit, we are told that the pious divine bethought himself of the arm of the flesh, in the shape of a corporal's guard, which happened to be stationed near, and obeyed his summons. The soldiers advanced with fixed bayonets, & at the pas de charge against the supplicating crowd and their Priest, but the crowd stood peaceable and unmoved.- The Priest continued to address his prayers to the Father of the living and the dead. All were uncovered and in the attitude of supplication. The soldiers halted, paused, and with a feeling that does them honor, wheeled about and retreated from the shameful scene. We were told that they were ordered to clear the yard and drive Priest and people, friends and relatives, from the fresh grave of their deceased kinsman. We hope it is not true. The soldiers, with a better sense of what is due to humanity, disobeyed. Cathy Joynt Labath Ireland Old News http://www.IrelandOldNews.com/index.html