Rugby star memorial

Ulster Rugby chaplain Rev Andrew Thompson paid tribute to player Nevin Spence along with his father and brother, who were killed in a farming accident last weekend.

Thompson told a memorial service in Belfast that the local community was "still in shock and disbelief".

Ulster and Ireland rugby player Rory Best recalled his teammate Nevin Spence's unique sense of humour at a memorial service in Belfast.

"No one could work out if he was a comic genius or just told really bad jokes," said Best at an emotional service.

Thousands of rugby fans have gathered at Belfast's Ravenhill ground for a memorial service for Ulster player Nevin Spence, who was killed last weekend in a farming accident.

The 22-year-old was overcome by slurry gas fumes and died along with his brother and father at their farm in Hillsborough.

The funerals of Ulster Rugby player Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham, have taken place in Ballynahinch, Co Down.

The three men died after falling into a slurry tank at their farm at Hillsborough in Northern Ireland on Saturday.

Emma Spence has spoken at the funeral of her father and two brothers, telling mourners that they were "gentlemen."

Emma had twice tried to save her family from the slurry tank were they died before being overcome by fumes herself.

At the funeral at Ballynahinch Baptist Church, she said:

Ulster Rugby club will hold a memorial service for Nevin Spence at Ravenhill Stadium on Sunday 23rd September at 3pm.

The funerals of Nevin Spence, and his father and brother - who died after falling into a slurry tank at their farm at Hillsborough in Northern Ireland -are taking place today.

A statement on the club's website said:

It has emerged that the sister of Ulster rugby star Nevin Spence who died alongside his father and brother in a farming tragedy on Saturday, bravely attempted to rescue her family.

Emma Spence twice climbed into a manhole and then down into a slurry tank on the family farm near Hillsborough, Co Down, where her father Noel, 68, and brothers, Graham, 30, and Nevin, 22, all died trying to save each other.

Miss Spence, managed to pull her father on to the ladder where she was assisted by neighbours. They immediately tried to resuscitate Noel.

She then went back a second time and found Graham in the tank lying in two to three feet of slurry. But she was then overcome by the odourless fumes and had to be pulled free by the frantic neighbours who ran to the tank after hearing the calls for help.

The funerals of the three men will be held in Ballynahinch, Co Down, later today.

Rugby players and officials from across Ireland are expected to attend the funerals today of Ulster star Nevin Spence, and his father and brother who died in a farming tragedy on Saturday.

There will be a private service in the family home followed by a service of thanksgiving at the Baptist Church in Ballynahinch, Co Down.