Respected journalist Brian Hutton laid to rest in Donegal

Brian Hutton's fondness for Donegal was evident at his funeral on Friday.

The 46-year-old journalist from Derry died suddenly at Letterkenny University Hospital on New Years Eve after becoming unwell.

After funeral mass at St Patrick's Church, Pennyburn, Mr Hutton was laid to rest at St Mura's Cemetery in Fahan.

His daughter, Issy, placed sea shells from Lisfannon Beach at the altar, symbolising Brian's love for the area.

Mr Hutton worked most recently with the Irish Times and covered the Creeslough explosion for the paper.

Previously, he worked for the Belfast Telegraph and the Daily Mirror while he served as a deputy editor for the Press Association.

The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins said Mr Hutton was 'a fine journalist' and was a person 'with a reputation for reliability'.

Fr Michael McCaughey told Friday's funeral: “Along with his great intellect, he was highly regarded for his skill in reporting and also in his sensitive nature.

“He told through the years the Saville report (into Bloody Sunday), election results, state papers of recent weeks, 50 years of the EU, and the recent tragedy in Creeslough."

in a moving address, Mr Hutton's brother, Kevin, said his greatest devotion was for Issy.

He said: “He was warm; he had emotional intelligence, wit and he just loved life and he loved people.

“He was an avid reader and had a great ability to absorb information, information that he would share with those he knew in conversation.

“To honour his memory, his optimism, his curiosity, let’s live our lives with his devotion, his passion and his laughter.”