Funeral of Victims’ Campaigner Billy Mcconville Takes Place

ITV
July 26, 2017

http://www.itv.com/news/utv/update/2017-07-26/funeral-of-victims-campaigner-billy-mcconville-to-take-place/

Billy McConville passed away aged 50 on Monday. Credit: Presseye

The funeral of victims’ campaigner Billy McConville has taken place in west Belfast.

The 50-year-old passed away on Monday without seeing any form of justice or compensation for years of abuse he suffered in care following the abduction and murder of his mother Jean McConville in 1972.

A Requiem Mass will be held in St Paul's Church on the Falls Road at 1pm on Wednesday followed by burial in Milltown Cemetery.

Michael McConville said his brother's last days had been spent in the media spotlight as he campaigned for justice for other victims of institutional abuse, but now his family needed time and space to “quietly grieve”.

“When he was physically at his weakest he showed the greatest strength of character and we are proud of him for that,” he said ahead of the funeral.

“We all hope that politicians heed his dying wish that they get together to address this outstanding injustice as well as other issues affecting victims and survivors who have been pushed to the margins over many years.”