A Catholic student who was viciously assaulted outside a night-club in Co Antrim has died from head injuries, Suzanne Breen Irish Times Senior Northern Correspondent reports.
Mr Chris Whitson (20), who was at Dundee University, had been celebrating his brother's birthday at Kelly's night-club in Portrush.
He was beaten and kicked in the venue's car park 11 days ago.
His family had mounted a vigil by his bedside in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital.
Their parish priest, Father Seán Emerson, said they had been determined to spend "every precious moment" with their dying son.
Mr Whitson, from Strathmore Park in north Belfast, died on Monday night.
Father Emerson said recent days had been "agonising" for his parents and brother and sister, who had known it was unlikely that he would live.
"You can imagine how immense a task it is to let go of your eldest son," he said.
They were heartbroken by his death, but their strong religious faith would help them cope. They had received tremendous support from Mr Whitson's friends and the wider community.
Mr Whitson will be buried later this week.
Kelly's night-club extended its sympathies to the family and said that it would close on the day of the funeral.