Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery today mourned the loss of her Irish fiancé John Dineen who passed away at the weekend aged 34. His funeral took place in Ballinora, Co. Cork near his family home.
Dineen, a 34-year-old public relations director, passed away in Cork's Marymount Hospice on Sunday morning after battling a rare form of cancer for some time.
Dockery, Dineen's parents, family and friends, gathered today in St. James' Church in Ballinora for a private service which was led by Father Declan Mansfield.
The couple are believed to have started dating in September 2013 after being introduced by Dockery's Downton co-star Allen Leech. It was reported earlier this year that they had become engaged, however the pair never commented publicly on their relationship.
In an interview in September 2014, the actress said: "I have a wonderful man in my life from Ireland. We were introduced by Allen Leech. That’s all you need to know."
In a brief statement the family yesterday appealed for privacy as they made the final preparations for the funeral service.
"The family is very grateful for the support and kindness they have received but would kindly request that they are left to grieve in private," a spokeswoman for the actress said.
The PR firm where Mr Dineen worked also paid tribute to him today. A spokesperson for FTI Consulting said: "John was an immensely valued colleague and friend and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his fiancee Michelle, his family and friends, as well as our colleagues who were closest to him, and we ask for privacy for his family at this difficult time."
