Funeral for hit-and-run victim

Mourners carry Mr Gallagher's coffin to St Brigid's Church in Carnhill

The funeral has taken place in Londonderry of the man killed in a hit-and-run accident on Sunday.

Martin Gallagher, 24, from Sandale Park in Derry, died after he was hit by a car on the Racecourse Road in Pennyburn at about 0220 GMT on Sunday.

A 22-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the incident has been released on bail.

Mr Gallagher was buried following Requiem Mass at St Brigid's Church in Carnhill.

Mr Gallagher's father, also called Martin, said he could never forgive his son's killer.

"God forgive me at this present minute, but I'll never forgive him, God forgive me for saying it.

"To take a life like that - it's awful," Mr Gallagher said. "I wouldn't breed hatred into any of my children but it's hard to accept."

Mr Gallagher's friends described him as a "lovely person".

Michaela Green saw police at the scene but was unaware it was her childhood friend who had been killed.

"He was a really, really lovely person, he really was - he was just always up for a laugh," she said.

"He loved going out to watch the football with his mates and was just really nice. There wasn't a bad bone in his body.

We didn't realise it was a friend lying at the side of the road Noel McMonigle

"All those fellas are just going to be devastated, they're never going to be the same again."

Mr Gallagher had dressed up for Halloween and was returning home when he was hit outside the home of one of his best friends.

The young athlete, a member of Foyle Valley Athletic Club, had run a number of marathons for charity.

Noel McMonigle, a fundraiser for Foyle hospice and coach of City of Derry Athletic Club, was returning home when saw emergency services at the scene.

"We didn't realise it was a friend lying at the side of the road," he said.

Father Dermot Harkin was called and administered the last rites.

The priest blessed Mr Gallagher before being joined in prayers by police officers at the scene.

"I must say I found it a very moving experience," he said.

"The more I hear about the person that he was, that he was such a good young fella and a credit to his people, that I'm sure at those very intimate moments before he went to meet the Lord that he was praying for me and for everybody else around him."