Burnfoot teen to be laid to rest 08.08.07

THE border village of Burnfoot will come to a solemn standstill tomorrow for the funeral of tragic local teenager Liam Devlin. The 19-year old met a violent death in the Creggan area of Derry at the weekend. Two young men from the city deny his murder. There were heartbreaking scenes in the close-knit village last night when the young man's body was removed from Altnagelvin Hospital around teatime to be waked at the family home at 282 The Cottages.

His devastated family including parents Liam and Helen, brother John and sisters, Kerry and Alannah, were comforted by close family, members of the clergy and neighbours. Local curate, Fr. Michael Porter said the family were struggling to come to terms with the horrific tragedy. He said they were "saddened beyond words" by their loss. The former Scoil Mhuire student, an avid Glasgow Celtic fan described as a "lovely, happy-to-lucky lad", died after an alleged altercation at Linsfort Drive, Creggan, Derry, in the early hours of Saturday.

Two men appeared at Derry Magistrates Court on Bank Holiday Monday charged with his murder. Sean Cruickshank, 19, from Lislane Drive and Edward McEleney, 20, from Circular Road, both in Creggan, denied killing the Inishowen teenager. The court heard that when charged, Mr. Cruickshank made no reply while Mr. McEleney said he was not guilty. Solicitors for the accused told the court that both would strongly deny any involvement in the murder. The defendants were refused bail and were remanded in custody to appear via videolink on August 30th. A large crowd is expected for tomorrow's funeral leaving at 10.15am to St. Aengus Church, Burt, for 11am Requiem Mass followed by burial in Burt Cemetery.

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