23/04/2004

Funeral held for west Belfast teenager

The funeral service for west Belfast teenager Megan McAlorum has taken place this morning.

As the cortege processed the short distance from the family home to the St Oliver Plunkett Church in Lenadoon, family members carried the white coffin.

Officiating at the Requiem Mass Father Martin Magill in his homily said that Megan had been a friendly young girl who had been bursting with life.

Father Magill told mourners that he had been touched by the bravery of Megan's mother who had told him that the family would not be destroyed by the death.

Megan's father, mother and six brothers and sisters comforted each other during the service.

Following Funeral Mass the coffin was taken for interment at the City Cemetery.

The body of the 16-year-old was discovered on waste ground half a mile from the Glenside Road, Dunmurry, near Belfast, on Monday 12 April. She had severe head injuries.

A 16-year-old male has been charged with murder while a 24-year-old man is accused of withholding information.

(MB)

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