Mourners gather for funeral of Fionntán McGarvey in south Belfast

Mourners gathered for the funeral of a beloved son, brother and GAA player in Belfast today.

Fionntán McGarvey died nearly a month after he was assaulted in the south of the city on 27 December.

A murder investigation has been launched and today (January 24) the 18-year-old's family and friends gathered to mourn his loss.

His family clutched sunflowers as they walked behind the coffin while it was carried into St Brigid's church in south Belfast.

During the funeral mass, parish priest Fr Eddie O'Donnell spoke of how Fionntán's family has been plunged into darkness.

"During those days, hoping against hope, but with a growing sense of foreboding, we have waited for the storm to crash over us," he said.

"And now it has - leaving us, in its wake, stunned and devastated."

Fionntan was a talented GAA player for a number of teams including St Brigid's GAC.

Fr Eddie O'Donnell told mourners: "A falling star is a wonderful sight - for a moment it holds our attention and then it is gone. 

"Such was Fionntán - for too short awhile he lit our sky with his big smile, his love and his friendship, with his talent and sportsmanship. 

"Today, we feel bereft now that the star has fallen, yet is it not true to say that we have been enriched by knowing him, as a son, as a brother, as a friend, as a teammate?" 

Fionntán's coffin bore an inscription of the motto of his GAA club, Mol an Óige, an Irish saying which means 'praise the youth and they will flourish'.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about Fionntán's death to contact them on 101.