Parents of children making their First Communion in Stewartstown were said to be ‘annoyed’ and ‘distressed’ after one of the fathers turned up wearing a blue suit with socks and sandals to match, ruining hundreds of photographs by being in the background.

Johnny Maguire (55), whose youngest daughter Maeve was making her First Communion, admitted he may have gauged the vibe incorrectly after reading a load of fashion magazines in the run up to the big occasion:

“Yeah I think I got it wrong. This is my 6th child making their communion and I thought I’d show I was still fairly with it in the fashion stakes. Unfortunately the magazine I was reading was a 1977 copy of the Lurgan Times. I can only apologise for the hurt and pain I caused others this morning.”

Mother of nine, Mary Devlin, refused to accept Maguire’s apology, fuming that he ruined every photo she took that day by standing in the background in his socks and sandals. casually talking to people.

“This isn’t the first time Maguire did something like this. At the previous Communion, he wore a tie that went the whole way down to his knees. Pure ridiculous looking. Ruined all the photos then too. He does this on purpose.”

 

Maguire has promised not to attend any more religious functions.