Cairns, Herberton, Cooktown, Chillagoe, Qld

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Farewell to Father Dempsey, The Wild River Times, Herberton, 11 June 1903, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article291046474:

Nearly all the Catholic people of Herberton and its vicinity were assembled in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday, May 25th, to wish Good-bye to Father Dempsey, who has been transferred to Croydon. [...] But eight short months have passed since it pleased our good Bishop to place me amongst you, and during that time I have done nothing but what every priest is trying to do—every priest who is obeying the call of duty. I have tried in my own feeble way to minister to you as a consecrated Priest of God. I have tried in my own feeble way to lead you along those paths of virtue, and this, my friends, was but my duty, and I have, as has been mentioned, given especial attention to the dear little children of Herberton. But for all these things, my friends, I have been amply rewarded by the gratitude which has been shown me by the people everywhere I have gone, not only in Herberton, but in the outside districts, and my work surely was but a work of love, since my work brought its own reward. For I had this consolation—which is the greatest a priest can have—that where I worked, and worked for the people, I had the consolation of seeing that the people met me half way, and my works brought forth fruit. (Applause.) [...]

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Presentation to Father Dempsey, O.S.A., The Wild River Times, Herberton, 10 September 1903, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article291047022:

During his recent visit to Croydon, Bishop Murray in the name of the Catholics of Herberton presented the Rev. Father Dempsey with a beautiful Sterling Silver Chalice, and also in the name of the Catholic Congregation of Irvinebank with a very handsome Ciborium with silver Bowl and Cover. Father Dempsey begged his most heartfelt thanks should be conveyed to the good people of Herberton and Irvinebank for their beautiful and expensive gifts, which would serve to keep fresh in his memory that whole hearted kindness which he had ever experienced from them.

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Irish death record, https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1947/04591/4215114.pdf: "1947. Deaths Registered in the District of Tallaght in the Superintendent Registrar's District of Dublin in the County of Dublin. No. 403. On 4 March 1947 at Orlagh College, Rathfarnham, death of Francis Alipius Dempsey, male, single, 69 years, Clergyman; cause of death: myocardial degeneration, certified; informant: Michael Twomey, present at death, of Orlagh College, Rathfarmham; 11 March 1947; T.P. O'Riordan, Registrar."

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Mossman Notes, Catholic Leader, Brisbane, 10 April 1947, p 20:

Word has been received from Ireland of the death of the Rev. Father Dempsey O.S.A. The late Father Dempsey was a native of Ballymeona [Ballymena] Co Antrim and came to Australia to the Cooktown Vicariate, and will be well remembered by the older residents of Cooktown, Cairns, Mareeba, and Mossman. An eloquent preacher, Father Dempsey at times conducted missions, and at all times took an active interest in the education of the young. A staunch upholder for the rights of the Catholics, and a firm believer in the worth of the Catholic papers, the late Father bad no scruples in denouncing secular papers that he knew were unfit to be in any Catholic household. Those who were fond of bright clean entertainment will remember the interest be took in theatrical and the magnum opus he produced "The Colleen Bown" which was staged in the more important northern towns with elaborate scenic effects. R.I.P.