Stabbing victim Brian Phelan laid to rest

Stabbing victim Brian Phelan (33) has been laid to rest in Bessbrook, Co Armagh.

The father of two was stabbed to death on July 26 on the Carrivekeeney Road, on the outskirts of Newry.

Friends of Mr Phelan paid tribute to him with an improvised car rally as mourners gathered.

A friend had sent out a call on social media for "recovery trucks, cars, quads, scramblers to give 'Barney' Brian Phelan a good send-off".

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Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Peter and St Paul's Church in Bessbrook, with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Mr Phelan has a six-year-old daughter and three-year-old son and their mum, Amanda O'Riordan, said she was staying strong for their sake.

"You couldn't meet a nicer fella. Everybody loved him. He helped everybody," she said.

Daniel Carroll (27), of Edward Street in Portadown, Co Armagh appeared in Newry magistrates court last week charged with Mr Phelan's murder.