Hundreds attended the funeral yesterday of Co Monaghan teenager Jason McGovern who died after an assault on New Year’s Eve.
Mourners at the funeral Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Corracrin, Co Monaghan, heard the former IT Sligo student described as “an exceptional youngster”.
Donagh parish priest Fr Hubert Martin said the 19- year-old was “respected by his peers and by the older generations who saw him at church regularly”. Gifts brought to the altar, representing the young man’s life included his baptismal candle, a family photograph, and a Gaisce achievement award, presented to him by former president Mary McAleese.
Alongside Jason’s mother Kathleen, father Séamus and two older brothers, Jonathan and Niall, mourners included neighbours and friends and some 50 people who attended from the Institute of Technology Sligo.
Yesterday, detectives from the PSNI’s serious crime branch investigating Mr McGovern’s murder arrested a 23-year-old man in the Omagh area. He is currently helping police with their inquiries. On Saturday five men and a teenager were charged with affray in connection with the incident.