Funeral for priest who died on Celtic trip

Published on Monday 17 March 2008 09:36

HUNDREDS of mourners packed the city's St Mary's Cathedral today for the funeral of a popular priest who died just over a week ago.

Monsignor David Gemmell died suddenly after watching the Celtic versus Barcelona match in Spain on March 6.

His funeral service was led by Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Mourners spilled out on to the steps to listen to the service, while dozens of people packed into the cathedral's cafe to watch the funeral on TV screens.

Tycoon Sir Tom Farmer – who had known Mgr Gemmell for 30 years – attended the service, along with local dignitaries, friends and parishioners.

Staff and teachers from St Ninian's primary in Restalrig and St Mary's in East London Street also attended the funeral to pay their respects to their school priest, while both schools remained closed all afternoon.

Tributes have poured in since news of the popular priest's sudden death broke.

Mgr Gemmell, 54-year-old, had travelled along with thousands of other fans for the Champions League football match in Barcelona.

He took unwell after a meal and was found dead the following morning.