Johnny Depp has been pictured arriving for the funeral of Shane MacGowan at Saint Mary’s of the Rosary Church in Tipperary, Ireland. The Fairytale of New York singer, who will be laid to rest in a private cremation in Nenagh, died last week aged 65 following a lengthy hospital stay after his encephalitis diagnosis.
It has been reported that huge stars including Johnny, Bono and Bob Geldof are set to give readings at The Pogues singer’s funeral service. Johnny could be seen smiling and tipping his hat as he greeted mourners outside on the street.
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor wore a black, wide-brimmed grey hat and patterned grey scarf over a black suit. The star also opted for some dark sunglasses and tied his hair back in a ponytail for the occasion.
Fans were seen paying their respects in the town of Nenagh today, with The Pogues songs playing on loop in the streets. It comes after Shane’s widow Victoria Mary Clarke confirmed that her husband had died of pneumonia.
Shane’s funeral procession began in the South of Dublin near Ballsbridge where he and wife Victoria lived. Roads were closed down as a horse-drawn carriage followed a marching band and a piper as it travelled through Ringsend and Pearse Street before ending at the top of Westland Row.
Following the procession, the hearse carrying Shane’s coffin and family cars travelled to Tipperary for the funeral mass.
Shane had strong connections to the Irish town as his mother was from there and he later moved to live in the family home.
According to The Irish Times, Shane’s father Maurice still lives in the area while his sister Siobhan also lives nearby.
On Thursday, Shane’s wife shared an emotional message with his fans as she shared her fond memories from their 36-year relationship.
She wrote: “Tomorrow is Shane’s funeral which is hard to believe and probably I won’t believe it for a while. Shane hated funerals and he refused to go to them with a few rare exceptions.
“So, it’s incredible to think that so many people want to come to his and that so many beautiful people are pouring their hearts and souls into making it magnificent and magical and memorable for him and for us who are left behind.”
Shane had been suffering from several health issues before his death, after being diagnosed with encephalitis last year.
The uncommon but serious condition is where the brain becomes inflamed. As a result, Shane was hospitalised for around six months and was discharged just one week before he died.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
Source: Read Full Article