Declan Donnelly pays tribute to brother at funeral

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Declan Donnelly has paid an emotional tribute to his brother, telling mourners his family “can’t believe he’s gone”. open image in gallery Declan Donnelly, right, told the service his family are still in shock about his brother’s death Paying tribute to his brother during the service, Declan fought back tears as he said: “Unfortunately today our world is a slightly worse place because Dermott is no longer with us. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free open image in gallery Declan Donnelly among mourners for the funeral of his brother He said Fr Dermott had been the middle child of seven, and told how they grew up in a three-bedroom house in Newcastle, with the four boys in one room and the three girls in the other. He also joked about his brother’s extensive fundraising efforts, saying: “You name it, Dermott monetised it.” open image in gallery Father Dermott Donnelly died suddenly earlier this month Hexham and Newcastle Bishop Robert Byrne offered his condolences to Fr Dermott’s mother and siblings, as well as extended family who had travelled from Ireland.