Funeral for man who died after CS spray arrest

The funeral of Gerard McMahon, who died after an altercation with police in Belfast, has taken place in the Short Strand area of the city.

Mourners gathered at St Matthew’s Church, Bryson Street to pay their respects to the 36-year-old.

Family and friends at the funeral of Gerard McMahon at St Matthew's Church in Belfast on Thursdayplaceholder image
Family and friends at the funeral of Gerard McMahon at St Matthew's Church in Belfast on Thursday

Mr McMahon was taken ill during the incident in Great Victoria Street in the city at about 5am last Thursday.

The PNSI said officers had responded to reports of a man behaving violently on the street and that he suffered injuries while being restrained.

The case was transferred to the Police Ombudsman’s office which confirmed CS spray had been used, but it is not yet known if it contributed to Mr McMahon’s death.

Mr McMahon’s grieving parents have called for a “swift and thorough” investigation into the circumstances of their son’s death.

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