THE funeral of murdered father-of-five Karol Kelly took place in Derry yesterday.
Mr Kelly (35) was stabbed to death outside a house on Grafton Street in the Rosemount area of the city in the early hours of last Sunday.
Hundreds of mourners joined Mr Kelly's family for the funeral.
He was laid to rest in the city cemetery following Requiem Mass at St Mary's Church in Creggan.
A family notice read: "Loving father of Kerri, Lucy, Cormac, Abagail and Jax, beloved son of Francis and Philomena and dear brother of Francesea, Paul and Emma-Louise."
From the Beechwood Avenue area, Mr Kelly’s family are well known in the city where his father was involved in the motor trade for many years.
A floral arrangement accompanying Mr Kelly’s coffin read "Best Friend". "Daddy," read another.
The victim’s sister, Emma Louise, heard about the fatal attack while on holiday in Vietnam and rushed home to be by her family’s side.
In a Facebook post, his older sister Francesca said: "Taken from us all way too soon."
In the wake of his death, Mr Kelly’s younger brother Paul wrote on Facebook that "at this sad time, myself and my family take great comfort in knowing that he is at peace with himself now and in a far happier place... even given the nature of his death".
Three men - aged 17, 19 and 20 - have appeared in court charged with his murder, among them two brothers.
Sean Anderson (19) and Gary Anderson (20) both of Grafton Street, were remanded in custody following a brief hearing last Wednesday at Magistrates Court.
Around 20 police officers were in court prior to their appearance and the hearing was temporarily delayed to allow for the arrival of police reinforcements.
Extra officers were called to the courtroom as friends of the victim and relatives and friends of the two defendants faced each other during the brief hearing.
One man carrying a photograph of the deceased was removed from the court.
Two other men were arrested for contempt of court. They later apologised to the district judge.
Police have also charged a 17-year-old male with the murder. He appeared in court last Thursday.
