Olympian Ciara Mageean was a 'talented and inspirational human being'

The former European champion and two-time Olympic runner had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. Olympian Ciara Mageean has been described as a "truly remarkable, immensely talented and inspirational human being" in a tribute read out at her funeral. Hundreds of people have paid their respects to the runner at her funeral on Tuesday. The former European champion and two-time Olympic runner died on Sunday after she was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. Among those in attendance at the funeral in Portaferry, County Down, were Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill, as well as fellow Olympian Rhys McClenaghan and 1972 gold medallist Lady Mary Peters. Mageean's funeral cortege was given a guard of honour by Portaferry GAC and her former school, Assumption Grammar in Ballynahinch.

Her death comes less than three weeks after her marriage to her long-term partner Thomas Moran. Mourners began arriving at around midday for the 2:00 GMT requiem Mass at St Patrick's Church. Family, friends and those wishing to pay their respects followed the funeral cortege the short distance along the Ballyphilip Road from Mageean's family home to the church. Others in attendance included representatives for Irish President Catherine Connolly and the Irish Government, Social Democratic and Labour Party leader Claire Hanna, GAA President Jarlath Burns and former boxer Paddy Barnes. European champion Ciara