Grandmother killed in her Belfast home ‘didn't deserve what happened', funeral told
During the service, mourners heard how Marie Green, who was born in north Belfast and attended Lowwood Primary School, was devoted to her family.
Family and friends walk behind the hearse carrying the remains of Marie Green as the funeral makes it's way along the Shore road in North Belfast, Friday, June 13, 2025. Photo by Peter Morrison
Family and friends walk behind the hearse carrying the remains of Marie Green as they pass her home were she was recently killed. Photo by Peter Morrison
Mourners at the funeral of a pensioner killed in her north Belfast home have heard she 'didn't deserve what happened to her'.
Marie Green – described as a devoted mother and grandmother – was found dead at her home in the early hours of last Tuesday morning.
Her son Lewis Green appeared in court last week charged with her murder.
Family and friends gathered as the 71-year-old's coffin left Wrays Funeral Home and passed her Shore Road home, before a service of thanksgiving at Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium.
During the service, mourners heard how Mrs Green, who was born in north Belfast and attended Lowwood Primary School, was devoted to her family.
'The family cannot thank everyone enough for the invaluable support through this extremely difficult time,' said Stephen Thompson, who led the service.
'Love will sit at the heart [of this service], because love can conquer all things."
Marie Green. Photo: FuneralTimes
During the service, Mr Thompson said Mrs Green's husband Ian was unable to attend due to bad health, but said he had 'emphasised he wants the day to be a celebration of Marie, whom he loves so dearly, and he will forever cherish the time they had together.'
Mourners also heard how Mrs Green was a devoted employee of NI Trucks in Mallusk, having worked for the company for nearly 30 years as a receptionist – a role in which she was described as 'perfect' due to her love of 'talking to everyone'.
'Marie was a natural mother... doing all the jobs a mother does... she would never complain and had the patience of a saint,' Mr Thompson added.
'Marie was just an amazing granny as she was a mother… always visiting or asking about her grandchildren any chance she could get.'
Family and friends walk behind the hearse carrying the remains of Marie Green as they pass her home were she was recently killed. Photo by Peter Morrison
Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025
Mr Thompson also read a poem, written by Mrs Green's young granddaughter, which said: 'I love you from the bottom of my heart. We will never be far apart.
'I do not know what else to say, except I love you every single day.'
A portion of the song 'Days' by The Kinks was also played, as was 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA.
Attendees also heard tributes from Mrs Green's two sons, Adam and Richard, who said their mother's memory lives on through their children.
Family and friends walk behind the hearse carrying the remains of Marie Green as the funeral makes it's way along the Shore road in North Belfast, Friday, June 13, 2025. Photo by Peter Morrison
'You were so selfless and gave everything in life for your family... I will miss your laugh so much; it was just so unique and made us all smile. You didn't deserve what happened to you,' they said.
'From her sisters and childhood friends in the 50s to her grandchildren in present day... she affected all of our lives in such a way that her memory and her essence will always be intertwined with our own lives.
'Objects get broken and lost. So even memories can fail with time. It is the shared connection and love that remain forever."
'Mum, you were loved, you are loved, and you will always be loved.'
A death notice said Mrs Green was a 'beloved wife", a 'much loved mum' and 'a loving granny'.
It said her death was 'deeply regretted by the entire family circle', adding: 'Marie, you are forever in our hearts.'
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Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Elderly man (89) who sexually abused young girl jailed for ten years
Sid Green of Kennedy Park, Roscrea, was convicted of 22 counts of rape and one count of sexual assault of the child Sid Green of Kennedy Park, Roscrea, was convicted of 22 counts of rape and one count of sexual assault of the child, on dates between 1993 and 1998. He has no previous convictions. The injured party indicated to the court at a previous hearing that she has no issue with Green being named but she does not wish to be identified. She told the court how the damaging effects of the abuse had been 'far reaching and enduring' and had affected every facet of her existence. The court heard defence submissions that Green, who has recently been resident in a Co Offaly nursing home, has medical issues that would make custody difficult for him. He has been on bail and appeared via video link from the nursing home for his sentence hearings. The prison service have indicated that they will be able to take Green into custody on July 10 next and will be able to accommodate his medical needs. Passing sentence today Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said these were 'appalling offences' noting that Green coldly engaged in a cynical campaign of rape which he perpetrated whenever the opportunity arose. He noted that there has been no remorse shown. Mr Justice McGrath noted the profound impact the offending has had on the woman's life. He said she is a young woman who has shown remarkable resilience and strength and he commended her for the manner in which she dealt with the case and gave her evidence. The CCJ in Dublin. News in 90 Seconds - June 20th He noted the support the young woman had from her husband and parents throughout the process. He noted defence submissions that due to his age any custodial sentence is in effect a life sentence for Green, that he has no prior convictions and that there had been no violence additional to the inherent violence of rape. He said the difficulty which arose in this case was the age of the accused, with the only mitigating factors being his absence of prior convictions and that he had been a productive family man. Mr Justice McGrath set a headline sentence of 16 years, which he reduced to 15 years taking into account the circumstances of the case. He noted that the prison service had liaised with Green's carers and the prison service had formed the view they can accommodate him and deal with his needs from July 10, 2025. Mr Justice McGrath said he had considered the medical reports in the case and while Green has a considerable range of medical difficulties, most are those that would be expected for a man of his age. He said the difficulties mostly relate to mobility and ensuring that Green takes his various medications. Mr Justice McGrath imposed the 15 year sentence, and taking into account Green's advanced age, suspended the final five years of the sentence. It will take effect from July 10, 2025. Detective Garda Oliver Hennelly told George Burns BL, prosecuting, that the woman reported to gardai that the offending began when she just turned seven. Green was 57 years old. The women reported that Green took any opportunity he could to rape her and that it happened many times. The abuse ended when she was about the age of 12 years old. The woman subsequently engaged with mental health services and the rape crisis centre but did not feel ready to go to gardai until after she disclosed the abuse to her own family. The woman made a complaint to gardai in 2020 and when Green was interviewed in 2021, he denied the allegations. He was charged in 2022 and found guilty following a trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Tullamore earlier this year. In her victim impact statement, the woman described the profound and devastating effects that the abuse continues to have on her life as a result of the emotional and psychological damage caused. She described how she battles with fear and trust and how her relationships with family, friends and loved ones have suffered. She outlined how anxiety has transferred into her own parenting. She suffers with depression, flashbacks and nightmares, feels isolated and misunderstood, leaving her with a profound sense of loneliness. She described how she found temporary escape in drugs and alcohol but recognised this led to a destructive cycle, creating a barrier between her and loved ones. She told the court how she felt shame and guilt, despite being the innocent victim in the situation. She said the long term consequences of the abuse are still unfolding but she is determined to seek healing and support. She thanked those who have supported her, especially her husband and said she is ready to 'confront the shadows of the past and step into a hopeful future together.' Dermot Cahill SC, defending, said that Green had moved to Ireland from the UK, raised a family here and had a good work history. His wife passed away in 2013. Counsel asked the court to take into account that the offences occurred over a defined period in the past and Green was now facing sentencing as a 89-year-old man. He outlined a number of medical issues currently affecting Green. He said Green is unable to mobilise or get out of bed without assistance and needs ongoing nursing, which he receives in the nursing home. He submitted that prison will create difficulties for Green from a health perspective. He asked the court to take into account his client's co-operation with gardai and a lack of prior convictions.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man, 89, jailed for 10 years for 22 counts of rape of child over 5-year period
A 89-year-old Tipperary man who sexually abused a young girl has been jailed for ten years. Sid Green of Kennedy Park, Roscrea, was convicted of 22 counts of rape and one count of sexual assault of the child, on dates between 1993 and 1998. He has no previous convictions. The injured party indicated to the court at a previous hearing that she has no issue with Green being named but she does not wish to be identified. She told the court how the damaging effects of the abuse had been 'far reaching and enduring' and had affected every facet of her existence. The court heard defence submissions that Green, who has recently been resident in a Co Offaly nursing home, has medical issues that would make custody difficult for him. He has been on bail and appeared via video link from the nursing home for his sentence hearings. The prison service have indicated that they will be able to take Green into custody on July 10 next and will be able to accommodate his medical needs. Passing sentence on Friday, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said these were 'appalling offences', noting that Green coldly engaged in a cynical campaign of rape which he perpetrated whenever the opportunity arose. He noted that there has been no remorse shown. Mr Justice McGrath noted the profound impact the offending has had on the woman's life. He said she is a young woman who has shown remarkable resilience and strength and he commended her for the manner in which she dealt with the case and gave her evidence. He noted the support the young woman had from her husband and parents throughout the process. He noted defence submissions that due to his age, any custodial sentence is in effect a life sentence for Green, that he has no prior convictions and that there had been no violence additional to the inherent violence of rape. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week He said the difficulty which arose in this case was the age of the accused, with the only mitigating factors being his absence of prior convictions and that he had been a productive family man. Mr Justice McGrath set a headline sentence of 16 years, which he reduced to 15 years taking into account the circumstances of the case. He noted that the prison service had liaised with Green's carers and the prison service had formed the view they can accommodate him and deal with his needs from July 10, 2025. Mr Justice McGrath said he had considered the medical reports in the case and while Green has a considerable range of medical difficulties, most are those that would be expected for a man of his age. He said the difficulties mostly relate to mobility and ensuring that Green takes his various medications. Mr Justice McGrath imposed the 15-year sentence, and taking into account Green's advanced age, suspended the final five years of the sentence. It will take effect from July 10, 2025. Detective Garda Oliver Hennelly told George Burns BL, prosecuting, that the woman reported to Gardaí that the offending began when she just turned seven. Green was 57 years old. The woman reported that Green took any opportunity he could to rape her and that it happened many times. The abuse ended when she was about the age of 12 years old. The woman subsequently engaged with mental health services and the rape crisis centre but did not feel ready to go to Gardaí until after she disclosed the abuse to her own family. The woman made a complaint to Gardaí in 2020 and when Green was interviewed in 2021, he denied the allegations. He was charged in 2022 and found guilty following a trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Tullamore earlier this year. In her victim impact statement, the woman described the profound and devastating effects that the abuse continues to have on her life as a result of the emotional and psychological damage caused. She described how she battles with fear and trust and how her relationships with family, friends and loved ones have suffered. She outlined how anxiety has transferred into her own parenting. She suffers with depression, flashbacks and nightmares, feels isolated and misunderstood, leaving her with a profound sense of loneliness. She described how she found temporary escape in drugs and alcohol but recognised this led to a destructive cycle, creating a barrier between her and loved ones. She told the court how she felt shame and guilt, despite being the innocent victim in the situation. She said the long term consequences of the abuse are still unfolding, but she is determined to seek healing and support. She thanked those who have supported her, especially her husband and said she is ready to 'confront the shadows of the past and step into a hopeful future together'. Dermot Cahill SC, defending, said that Green had moved to Ireland from the UK, raised a family here and had a good work history. His wife passed away in 2013. Counsel asked the court to take into account that the offences occurred over a defined period in the past and Green was now facing sentencing as a 89-year-old man. He outlined a number of medical issues currently affecting Green. He said Green is unable to mobilise or get out of bed without assistance and needs ongoing nursing, which he receives in the nursing home. He submitted that prison will create difficulties for Green from a health perspective. He asked the court to take into account his client's co-operation with Gardaí and a lack of prior convictions.
Sunday World
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