Republican News · Thursday 7 March 2002

Ballymurphy victim laid to rest

Up to 2,000 people attended the funeral on Tuesday of 15-year-old Debbie McComb, the young Ballymurphy girl mown down by death riders on the Springfield Road near its junction with the Whiterock Road on Friday night, 1 March.

The teenager was with a group of friends when the stolen car was driven straight into the group. Debbie and her young friend Bernadette Hall were thrown into the air by the force of the impact.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, who is from the area, was among the many friends and neighbours who attended the funeral in support of Debbie's parents, Jim and Mary, and her nine brothers and sisters. Speaking during the funeral Mass, Fr Don O'Rawe said Debbie's young life had been stolen away.

As the funeral was taking place two men, 19-year-old Henry Marley and 20-year-old Neil Blayney, were appearing in court in connection with the incident in which Debbie was killed.