Funeral held for assault victim

Over a thousand people have attended the funeral today of the 21-year-old student who died after an assault in Co Londonderry.

Chris Whitson, who was a student at Scottish university, died on Monday night – 10-days after he was assaulted in the car park of Kelly's nightclub in Portrush whilst out celebrating his brother's birthday. Mr Whitson suffered severe head wounds in the incident.

Father Sean Emerson, who led the funeral mass, said Mr Whitson's death was further evidence that Northern Ireland had become complacent of the high level of violence within society – violence which is often associated with alcohol abuse.

"We live in a violent society where violence is often accepted as a way of life, not just in deed but in word and thought," he said.

"There is an urgent need for all of us to be peacemakers - to create peace, to avoid the violent thought or word or deed. There is in our society a great abuse of alcohol and drugs which cause massive confusion and immoral malaise.

"More important than the words of condemnation are the words of encouragement to find a balance in our lives, to live according to a moral code of conduct, to respond to the call of Christ, to be a son or daughter of God and to act with justice, integrity and humility."

He added: "The death of Christopher has influenced many people and encouraged them to think about what we do in life - what example do we give to our young people? What values do we live by?"

The SDLP's East Derry assembly member John Dallat and Coleraine councillor Alderman Billy Leonard, who attended the funeral, said that the death had "shocked the entire north coast community".

In a joint statement they said: "There is already a major review of how parents are protected not only inside night-clubs but outside as well and while this comes too late for Chris and family it will mean his death may well spare other parents the trauma the Whitson family are going through at this terrible time."

A 23-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged in connection with the murder of the student. Two other men are in custody charged with causing him grievous bodily harm.

(GMcG)