Hundreds attend funeral of soldier killed at Shropshire barracks

Family, friends and colleagues of Corporal Geoffrey McNeill gathered at his funeral in Northern Ireland yesterday.

The 32-year-old was a member of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, based at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, near Market Drayton.

After a private family service his coffin was taken to Ballywillan Presbyterian Church in Portrush for a funeral where colleagues from the regiment provide a guard of honour, along with members of the Royal British Legion.

Following the service, conducted by the Reverend Philip Burrows and the Reverend Robert Birnie, the cortege moved to Ballywillan Cemetery for burial with full military honours.

The procession was led by his three brothers Jason, Brian and Lee, and a 36-gun salute was performed.

Those that gathered heard a eulogy from colleagues that described a professional and dedicated soldier.

In his address, Rev Burrows told mourners they had lost a popular friend "in wicked circumstances".

"Your love for Geoff is tangible which is why it hurts so much.

"With Geoff at the heart of the family things will get easier but it will never be the same again without him," he added.

Born in Ballymoney, Cpl McNeill grew up in Coleraine where he attended Coleraine Secondary Boys' School before joining the Army.

He enlisted with the Army in November 2000 before joining the RIR the following year.

He was involved in a number of overseas exercises with the battalion that took him to Spain, Canada and Kenya.

He served in Northern Ireland between 2001 and 2004 before taking part in Operation Talic with Britain's armed forces in Iraq followed by a spell in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick 13.

The soldiers' family said his life had been dedicated to the Shropshire-based regiment.

Cpl McNeill's commanding officer paid a personal tribute to his fallen charge during an event attended by the Duke of York in March.

Lieutenant Colonel Ivor Gardiner, Commanding Officer of the RIR, said he had known him well and that his thoughts were with the soldier's family.

He made the comments at a parade at Clive Barracks to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

Speaking shortly before the parade, he said: "Things are more sombre than normal. The important thing is to carry on, as much as a respect to him than anything else. Our thoughts are with his family and they are here at the parade."

Cpl McNeill's body was found at Clive Barracks at about 9am on March 8. No details surrounding his death have been released.

Following the discovery an investigation was launched by West Mercia Police leading to a 23-year-old being charged with his murder.

Lance Corporal Richard Farrell, also from the Royal Irish, has since appeared at Stafford Crown Court. He is due to be arraigned on June 13.

Cpl McNeill's inquest was opened and adjourned in March by Mr John Ellery, coroner for Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin

The hearing was adjourned until a date to be set following the outcome of the criminal process.

In September 2008 Cpl McNeill's battalion completed a tour of Afghanistan. It became the first unit in the Army to receive three Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses in a single operation.