About 40 people gathered at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin yesterday to take part in a Muslim ceremony to mark the life of murdered Somalian Farah Swaleh Noor. Mr Noor's dismembered remains were found in the Royal Canal last March.
A hearse brought the coffin to the Muslim plot in the cemetery. Mourners filled in the grave by hand. Branches were taken from nearby yew trees and placed around the grave, along with large stones at the foot of the grave. Muslim clerics said prayers by the graveside.
The mourners, all men and mostly of Somalian origin, covered the top of the grave with a mound of soil during the lengthy ceremony.
Earlier, a prayer service was held for Mr Noor (38) at Stafford Funeral Home on the North Strand before his remains were taken to the cemetery.
It is believed that some of his family members wished to attend but were unable to make the journey to Ireland. There was a strong Garda presence at the funeral as a mark of respect.
Mr Noor's dismembered body was found last March 30th in refuse bags dumped in the Royal Canal. The discovery was made by a man walking along Ballybough Road. His torso, arms and legs were found, but despite extensive searches of the canal his head has never been recovered. He had been in Ireland since 1996, and was living in the North Circular Road area.
Two sisters have been charged with Mr Noor's murder and the case is currently before the courts, according to the Garda Press Office.