Kildare priest gets his car clamped at Mass for friend

A Kildare priest was paying his respects for a friend at Carlow Cathedral when he returned to find his car clamped.

Naas Parish Priest Fr Liam Morgan, said he attended the event in remembrance of Fr John Cummins who passed away in Abbeyleix on Wednesday.

The family of the Newbridge native runs the Con Cummins pub in the town.

Fr Morgan (above) said he purchased a ticket for €2 and was due to expire at 9.02pm, the Irish Examiner reported.

Fr Morgan said: “When I returned to the car at 9.30pm, I just didn’t expect to see clampers but they were there (at that time of night).

"I felt there was no option but to pay the €120 fine.

"The clamper had no choice but to do his job.

"I could have argued all I liked but have gotten nowhere as I had to call a Dublin number to try to release the car.”

Fr Cummins is mourned by his mother Renee, brothers Con and Gary, extended family and Bishop Denis Nulty and the priests of Kildare and Leighlin.

His funeral mass will take place on Monday at 11am in St Conleth’s Parish Church, Newbridge with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Bishop tribute

In a tribute, Bishop Denis Nulty said on Thursday:

"My thoughts and prayers are with Father John’s loving mother, brothers and sister, his priest colleagues throughout the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin, his team in Faith Development Services and ACCORD, Carlow, and, of course, his many parishioners in Abbeyleix whom he held in his heart so dearly.

"At this time of profound heartbreak, I also remember his former colleagues at the Institute of Technology, Carlow, and the parishioners of Carlow Cathedral Parish.

"Father John was much loved in the diocese and is a tremendous loss to all of us. I will hold all of you in my prayers over these very difficult and lonely days."

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."