Higgins's funeral details to be released
FULL details regarding the funeral arrangements of Alex "Hurricane" Higgins will be made public on Friday, his former agent has confirmed.
Thousands - including many celebrities and sporting stars - are expected to converge on Belfast on Monday to pay their respects to the snooker legend.
The 61-year-old, found dead in his flat on the Donegall Road on Saturday following a long battle with throat cancer, will be laid to rest at Roselawn cemetery following a service at St Anne's Cathedral.
The funeral will be conducted by Dean Houston McKelvey. It is believed a private family service will be held prior to Higgins' burial.
Last night, Higgins' personal assistant, Will Robinson, told the News Letter that the snooker great's body had been released following a post-mortem. He declined to comment on whether it was now at Higgins's sister's home in south Belfast.
Commenting on the funeral, Mr Robinson said it would undoubtedly be one of the biggest the capital city has ever seen, with numerous famous faces in attendance.
"Obviously Jimmy White is coming but there are obviously going to be hundreds of celebrities there," he said.
Mr Robinson was asked by the family to organise the thanksgiving service. He revealed it has been a difficult period for relatives of the star.
"I have been with them 24/7. It is a tough time - they are obviously devastated," he said.
It is widely predicted that Higgins's final journey will see the funeral cortege pass through the city from the Donegall Road en route to St Anne's on Monday.
The PSNI are being consulted on the funeral arrangements and are
expected to announce information about associated road closures within the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Belfast City Council has confirmed that books of condolence, opened to members of the public to pen their personal tribute to
the snooker star, will be available to sign tomorrow at City Hall.
Although the building is normally closed to the public on Saturdays, the books will be made available in the East lobby, with entrance via
Donegall Square East (opposite the Ulster Bank).
The books will be available for signing in the main entrance of City Hall on Monday, the day of the funeral, until 5pm.
Yesterday, Ulster-born former professional snooker referee, Len Ganley, was among those to add their signature to the evergrowing list of messages.
A book of condolence was also opened this week in Londonderry's Guildhall.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
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