Residents of Fintona gathered yesterday for the joint funeral of Vera King and her son Dermot King at St Lawrence’s Church in the town.

The mother and son passed away within 24 hours of one another. Fr Seán Mulligan led the Requiem Mass and spoke of the grief in the community.

Vera King worked in community nursing and at Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital. She lived with her husband Seán first in Tempo and later in Fintona.

Dermot King played football for Fintona Pearses GAA at every level. He won an Under-13 All-Ireland title with Tyrone and a Vocational Schools title in 1989.

He contributed to Fintona’s Intermediate Championship final run in 2001 and the Division Two Reserve title in 2007. Dermot co-owned The Goalpost Bar with his brother Barry and served 17 years as an on-call firefighter with Fintona Fire Station.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service called him an esteemed colleague. Fr Mulligan noted the courage both showed during their illnesses.

He mentioned the care provided by family members including Barry, Seán, and Dermot’s partner Mary. Barry read a poem during the service.

Both were buried in the cemetery next to St Lawrence’s Church.