Popular angler Noel McStay is laid to rest

Emergency services were in attendance as a body of a man was found on the banks of the River Mourne near Strabane golf course.

Mr McStay, who lived between Lurgan and Aghagallon, was fishing for salmon in the River Mourne near Strabane which is a popular angling  spot.

Known to his friends as ‘Badger’, Noel was in his 60s and was married to Sheena, a well known member of Lurgan Golf Club.

A father of six, Noel was well known in angling circles across Ireland and a well respected figure in his local community.

Last Tuesday, April 7, flood response teams from Derry recovered his body. He was found near Strabane golf club by another angler.

Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly said: “It is a terrible tragedy. He was a very decent man and well regarded.”

Robbie Bryson of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the death appeared to be accidental.

Noel was father of Jonathan, Jayne, Emma, Caroline, Helen and the late Jillian, and brother of Eleanor, Sylvia, Frank and Gregory.

His funeral was at St. Peter’s Church, Lurgan with burial in St Colman’s Cemetery.

The family have requested that in lieu of flowers donations are made to St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o McAlinden & Murtagh’s Funeral Home, 43 Ardmore Road, Lurgan  BT66 6QP.