The family of John George have confirmed that his funeral will now take place next weekend. The murdered father of two from West Belfast was reported missing after he failed to return home from Spain in mid-December and his body was discovered earlier this month.
A funeral service for Mr George had been scheduled to take place today, Friday January 24 before the family announced that it had been postponed to allow for a second autopsy to take place.
The original autopsy which took place in Spain found that Mr George had been stabbed before being shot. The family solicitor, Kevin Winters issued a statement on Wednesday confirming that the family had requested a second autopsy.
"As a precautionary measure and in order to make sure we have absolute clarity on the cause of death, we have instructed another pathologist to conduct a second autopsy on Johns's remains," he said.
"In the past few days, we have been liaising with the family together with the Coroner’s Office; the appointed pathologist and nominated Funeral Director on the logistics engaged in this very sensitive matter.
"It is hoped that the second autopsy will be completed at some stage early next week. In the interim, the family are encouraged by the latest development confirming the issuing of arrest warrants for a suspect in relation to John’s murder. They are hopeful that all engaged authorities will pursue implementation of the warrants in order to take the case to the next very important stage of the investigation."
Taking to social media on Friday, John 's sister Courtney announced the new funeral arrangements.
"John's body will be home on Tuesday. Family only that day. Then everyone is welcome onwards," she said.
"His funeral will take place on Saturday [1st February] 9:00 mass at St Lukes Twinbrook. Finally get to put you to rest my beautiful brother."
Courtney also confirmed that O'Neill's Funeral Directors will be live-streaming the funeral service on their social media for those unable to attend.
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English (United States) ·