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Much-loved JP Smyth to be laid to rest in Keady as mourners say goodbyes to tragic 15-year-old

The 15-year-old body was recovered from the water at Warrenpoint on Saturday

The funeral will take place in Keady later this week of 15-year-old John Paul Smyth, whose body was found on Friday after a four-day search operation.

The teenager – a pupil at St Paul’s High School in Bessbrook – went missing on New Year’s Eve.

A multi-agency search operation, assisted by members of the public, ended with the tragic news confirmed.

His body was recovered from the water at Warrenpoint on Saturday.

The school, which has been offering support to friends and classmates, had described JP as a young man with an “infectious personality”, and one whose “friendly smile endeared him to so many pupils and staff at St Paul’s”.

JP – who lived at Newry but was originally from Keady – was the son of Gerard and Adele and a brother of Jamie-Lee, Katie-Rose, Lacole, J.J, Darren and Leon.

His remains arrived at the family home on Monday evening.

The funeral will leave his Aunt Maureen McGrane’s home at Lower Clea Road, Keady, on Wednesday.

Family will lead mourners to St Patrick’s Church in Keady for 11am funeral mass.

The house is private on Wednesdday morning but the wake will be open to all between the hours of noon and 10pm on Tuesday.

JP will laid to rest afterwards in the adjoining cemetery at Keady.

To his parents, his brothers and sisters and the entire family circles, as well as his many friends and schoolmates, we offer our deepest sympathy at this time. RIP.

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