The funeral of stabbing victim Niall Magee has heard how the 21-year-old, who was killed during an altercation at a house in Crumlin, was "one-in-a million" to his loved ones.
A service was held yesterday at St Gerard's Parish Church in north Belfast for Mr Magee, who died following an incident in the early hours of last Saturday at a house at Cairn Walk in the Co Antrim village.
One man, 25-year-old Michael McManus of Cairn Walk, has been charged with murder and pleaded not guilty during an appearance at Limavady Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Appearing with facial injuries, the court was told the accused required surgery following the incident.
McManus was refused bail and remanded in custody until May 28.
Three other males, aged 19, 24 and 29, who were arrested following the incident have since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
At the funeral service, Fr Gerard Cassidy told mourners that at just 21-years-old, "Niall died in the springtime of his life, just as maturity starts to develop". The priest said the loss of Niall was like a "blackout" for his family.
"One minute the sun is shining, the next it is gone," he said, before Mr Magee's cousin, Tori Louise, took to the lectern to pay tribute to her relative.
"Words totally fail me now. You were like my second brother, you were the absolute golden child of our family," she said.
"There is not another soul in this lifetime or the next that could ever replace you. You were absolutely one-in-a-million.
If I ever needed you, you would be there without question. Even with all that life threw at you, everyone else always came first. There is now a big Niall shaped hole in our world. Our family is totally heartbroken. You will be missed more than I can ever explain, and you will never be forgotten. You're at peace now."
Following the service, the deceased was laid to rest at Carnmoney Cemetery.
