The funeral of a Nigerian George Nkencho, who was shot dead by the police in Dublin, Ireland last year, held on Saturday.
Ten people attended the funeral at the Sacred Heart Church in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions.
More than 100 people comprising friends and neighbours gathered outside the church some holding posters in memory of Mr Nkencho.
A large banner was unfurled “Farewell George – Don’t forget, we’ll stand for justice and truth” and protesters handed out “Justice for George” fliers. There were also Black Lives Matter posters.
The organisers, who wore yellow bibs, handed out face masks to those who did not have them. Some wore facemasks with Nkencho’s image on it.
The 27-year-old was shot outside his family home in Clonee on December 30, 2020 after he assaulted a shop worker in a nearby supermarket.
He was armed with a kitchen knife and had, his family have said, been suffering from mental health issues in the months beforehand.
Nkencho’s funeral was delayed due to legal issues over his body.
In her eulogy, his sister Gloria described his death as “untimely, unplanned and unwanted”.
She said: “This is in memory of my brother, for everything he stood for, for all that he believed in.
“It was untimely, unplanned and unwanted, but he is welcomed into the bosom of the Lord.
“He is at peace, he is happy, my family will be at peace.”
Nkencho’s white coffin was draped with the flag of the Insaka Glentoran Football Academy where he had trained as a footballer.
An investigation into his death is ongoing.
