Northern Ireland

Mourners gather in Co Derry for funerals of friends found dead in flat in Coleraine

A funeral service for Russell McAfee, who was found dead in his home in Coleraine on Monday, took place yesterday in the town
A funeral service for Russell McAfee, who was found dead in his home in Coleraine on Monday, took place yesterday in the town A funeral service for Russell McAfee, who was found dead in his home in Coleraine on Monday, took place yesterday in the town

MOURNERS gathered in Co Derry yesterday for the funerals of two best friends whose whose bodies were found in a flat in Coleraine.

Nigel McGraw (53) and Russell McAfee (60) were found at Mr McAfee's home in the Elms Park area of the town at around 2.30pm on Monday.

Police were called to the scene however later said the deaths were "not being treated as suspicious at this time".

There had been speculation that the men may have died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, however authorities have made no further comment.

The PSNI confirmed on Thursday that post mortem examinations had been carried out, adding that "police will now await the results of further toxicology reports".

Yesterday, family and friends of the men gathered for their funerals.

A funeral service for Mr McAfee, who was a father, step-father, grandfather and great-grandfather, took place at his step-daughter’s home in the Willow Drive area of Coleraine.

He was buried in Portstewart Cemetery.

A funeral service for Nigel McGraw, who was described as a "much loved uncle and great-uncle", took place in the Fairview Park area of Articlave. His burial took place in Coleraine Cemetery.