THE people of the Duke Bar area of Burnley today gathered in grief to pay their last respects to James McParland.

About 130 local residents were at the funeral to support Mr McParland's family, who travelled from Ireland. His sisters, Margaret, Mary, Patsy and brother Harry came from Belfast to join his other sister, Catherine, of Surrey, and other members of the family. They were joined at St John's RC Church, Ivy Street, by friends and neighbours of Mr McParland, known in the area as Seamus. Parish Priest Fr Michael Walters described Seamus as a happy man who lived very simply. He said: "No-one had a bad word to say about him and he always had a smile for everyone. He was a peace-loving person who just wanted to be friends with everyone.''

Fr Walters was joined at the Mass by the Rev Peter Strickland, Vicar of St Andrew's, Duke Bar.

Police launched a murder inquiry after Mr McParland was attacked in St Andrew's Street, only yards away from the church, while making his way home to Briercliffe Road from a local pub and club at about midnight on April 4.

Regulars and staff from the Waggoners pub and from St Andrew's Conservative Club were at today's service. A Requiem Mass was followed by cremation.

Two teenagers have appeared in court and been remanded in custody charged with murder.

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