Archive Crime Drugs Vice Farewell to gangster Noonan
| Farewell to gangster Noonan |
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Hundreds of people lined the road outside St Aidan's Catholic church in Northern Moor, as the procession for Dessy, 45, arrived. Desmond Noonan's brother, Domenyk walked on foot flanked by four men from D J Noonan Security wearing black jackets with the words, ``We serve to protect,'' written on the back. Two schools were closed today because of the funeral. Angry parents only found out about the decision last night - after they had shut. Staff at Chorlton High and Thomas Aquinas High sent a letter home with nearly 1,800 pupils telling their families the schools would be closed. They said the decision was taken on the advice of the police, although that was denied by GMP. Both schools are in Nell Lane near Southern Cemetery, where the funeral cortege was going.
The funeral comes just over a month after Noonan was stabbed to death. He was found collapsed in the street outside a house on the Merseybank Estate in Chorlton. A man has been charged with his murder. Outside the church today youngsters handed out copies of the order of service to mourners who had come to pay their last respects. A note was also passed around which said: ``The Noonan family would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for attending Dessy's funeral. "This is a very sad time for family and friends. We wish to give Dessy a really good send off which is what he deserved.
The statement added: ``Everyone is welcome to the Southern Public House, Nell Lane, after the funeral. The landlord has kindly offered all profits sold on bottles to go towards the cost of the funeral.'' Four days after Desmond's death a documentary about the family by undercover reporter Donal McIntyre was screened. The Noonan family became notorious in the Manchester gang scene after the murder of ``White Tony'' Johnson, the leader of the Cheetham Hill gang, who was gunned down in 1991. Desmond was charged but acquitted after a retrial. Following the requiem Mass the funeral procession travelled to Southern Cemetery for the internment. Friday, 22nd April 2005 |
THE brother of stabbed gang leader Dessy Noonan led a 16-piece pipe band through the streets of Manchester at his funeral today as black-plummed horses pulled the carriage carrying the coffin.
At the church, behind the security men, the pipe band and drummers were followed by the horse-drawn carriage topped with white flowers bearing the coffin. Also in the procession were 12 black Daimlers filled with floral tributes in red and white. Included among them were wreaths saying, ``Uncle'', ``Our Kid'' and ``Dez''.
"We have given permission for Channel 5 to film and take photographs of the procession. Anyone who knows Dessy knows that he would love all this attention.''