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MH17 air disaster victim Liam Sweeney 'will never be forgotten' Funeral for MH17 air disaster victim Liam Sweeney
(about 4 hours later)
The father of MH17 air disaster victim Liam Sweeney has paid tribute to him ahead of his funeral. The funeral of MH17 air disaster victim Liam Sweeney is under way in Newcastle.
Barry Sweeney said his son, killed when the Malaysia Airlines flight came down in Ukraine on 17 July, "will never be forgotten". Hundreds of mourners gathered for the service at the city's St Mary's Cathedral ahead of a private burial.
Hundreds of mourners are expected at the service at St Mary's Cathedral in Newcastle later. Family and friends of the 28-year-old Newcastle United fan were joined by club manager Alan Pardew and team captain Fabricio Coloccini.
Mr Sweeney and fellow Newcastle United supporter John Alder, 63, were killed when the flight came down in Ukraine on 17 July.
Pictures inside the order of service showed Mr Sweeney when he was a boy in his Newcastle kit.
A collection of floral tributes were placed outside the catholic cathedral.
Representatives from Malaysian Airlines and supermarket chain Morrisons, where Mr Sweeney worked, also attended the service.
Prince Charles has written to the family to express his sympathy following the "unimaginable tragedy".Prince Charles has written to the family to express his sympathy following the "unimaginable tragedy".
Mr Sweeney, 28, was a well-known Newcastle United fan and the cortege is set to stop outside St James' Park. Mr Sweeney was a well-known Newcastle United fan and the cortege is set to stop outside St James' Park.
It will then make its way to West Road Cemetery for a private burial. It will then make its way to West Road Cemetery.
Along with fellow fan John Alder, 63, Mr Sweeney had been travelling to watch the club on a pre-season tour of New Zealand. Mr Sweeney and Mr Alder had been travelling to watch the club on a pre-season tour of New Zealand.
All 298 people on board the plane died.All 298 people on board the plane died.
'Stop fighting'
Mr Sweeney's father said: "We're going to celebrate his life, not his death.Mr Sweeney's father said: "We're going to celebrate his life, not his death.
"Him and John Alder have become legends."Him and John Alder have become legends.
"If the world can become a better place because of what happened to Liam and John that'll be great. People have got to stop fighting."If the world can become a better place because of what happened to Liam and John that'll be great. People have got to stop fighting.
"I don't want to get involved in politics or religion, I just want to ensure the two lads didn't die in vain.""I don't want to get involved in politics or religion, I just want to ensure the two lads didn't die in vain."
United manager Alan Pardew is expected to attend the funeral, as are 50 people from supermarket chain Morrisons where Mr Sweeney worked. The letter from Prince Charles to Mr Sweeney read: "My wife and I just wanted you to know how very much our hearts go out to you following the truly unimaginable tragedy of the loss of your son, Liam.
Minute's silence
Representatives of Malaysia Airlines are also set to be among the mourners.
The letter from Prince Charles to Mr Sweeney reads: "My wife and I just wanted you to know how very much our hearts go out to you following the truly unimaginable tragedy of the loss of your son, Liam.
"All we can do is hold you in our most special thoughts and prayers at such an agonising time.""All we can do is hold you in our most special thoughts and prayers at such an agonising time."
A minute's silence was observed by fans at St James' Park on Sunday as they paid tribute to Mr Sweeney and Mr Alder during United's opening home game of the Premier League season.A minute's silence was observed by fans at St James' Park on Sunday as they paid tribute to Mr Sweeney and Mr Alder during United's opening home game of the Premier League season.
Fans then clapped throughout the 17th minute in reference to the plane's flight code.Fans then clapped throughout the 17th minute in reference to the plane's flight code.