Tributes as popular young boxer who died after taking ill is buried

THE funeral has taken place of young Co Tyrone boxer Wayne Bell.

Mourners gathered at St Elizabeth’s Church of Ireland in Moygashel to pay their final respects to the father-of-one following his death last weekend.

Mr Bell, who was in his 20s, took ill at a house in the village last Thursday evening.

He died in Craigavon Area Hospital on Saturday.

He leaves his partner Violeta and son Theo.

He is also survived by parents Ian and Sharon, sisters Andrea and Ella-Mae and brother Josh.

Police confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Conducting the funeral service, Rev Andrew Forster told mourners the sudden passing had sent shockwaves Family and friends carry the coffin of Wayne Bell (inset) from St Elizabeth’s Church in Moygashel following a funeral service for the young boxer through the local community.

“He was a very well-liked young man with a wide circle of friends,” he said.

“Everyone is feeling the tragedy of this loss very deeply.”

Mr Bell had been employed at R&M Greenkeepers in Cookstown, and in a statement the company said he had “a heart of gold”.

“He was a well-respected lad,” the firm said.

“He was a hard worker and would be close friends with a lot of the lads.”

Sporting colleagues were also quick to pay tribute, with Dungannon Kickboxing Club saying: “Wayne was an absolute gentleman, great fighter and a true friend.”

Following the funeral service, Mr Bell was laid to rest in Cottagequin Cemetery, Dungannon.