Sadness following the death of much loved priest and 'proud Dungiven man'

Tributes have been paid to a priest from County Derry who passed away yesterday (Monday, January 12).

Fr Eugene Hasson, a native of Dungiven, had served as parish priest of Drumragh in Co Tyrone.

He previously spent some time in Lavey parish in south Derry.

Announcing the  popular priest’s death earlier today, Drumragh Parish paid tribute.

“It is with sadness and a deep sense of loss that we announce the death of our Parish Priest, Fr Eugene Hasson,” the statement read.

“A proud Dungiven man, Fr Hasson also spoke often of his Tyrone roots and in particular of his grandmother’s influence on his visits to her in Plumbridge. His first appointment on his ordination in 1980 was to the parish of Drumragh and it was in Drumragh that he spent his last years since 2016. Other than a brief appointment to Lavey, Fr Hasson’s ministry didn’t stray often from the Omagh area with appointments in Greencastle and Cappagh parishes including as chaplain to the hospital.

“Fr Hasson fulfilled a long-held wish on the occasion of his 70th birthday to celebrate Mass on the spot where the three parishes of Drumragh, Beragh and Fintona meet, which also marks the point at which the three dioceses of Derry, Armagh and Clogher meet. Sadly, not many weeks after that, we learned of Fr Hasson’s illness.

“Rest in peace, Fr Hasson.”

A Mass will be held in St Patrick’s Church, Dungiven this evening (Tuesday, January 13) at 7.30pm with a reception being held prior to this at 6pm.  The service will be followed by the rosary and night prayer at 9.45pm.

Fr Hasson’s remains will then be transferred to Sacred Heart Church in Omagh, via Greencastle, where Mass will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, January 14) at 12noon.  Reception will take place at 3pm followed by rosary at 6.45pm, Mass at 7.30pm and night prayer at 9.45pm.  On Thursday, Mass will be held at 10am followed by evening prayer at 7.30pm and night prayer at 9.45pm.

Fr Hasson’s funeral will be held in St Patrick's Church in Dungiven on Friday at 12noon followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard.

The family have requested that their home is strictly private.

Following the announcement of Fr Hasson's death, hundreds of tributes have been paid by those who knew him.  

One parishioner said: “He made a difference. First got to know him through his support for the Scouts over 40 years ago. He loved nature and people. We were blessed to know him and benefit from his caring approach when needed.”

Another added: “I remember him well, such a lovely man, he was exactly what a good, decent priest should be.”