Second World War veteran Norman Irwin, Northern Ireland’s oldest man, has been buried in Coleraine aged 107. His funeral recognised his wartime service in North Africa, long-standing community involvement and the independence and humour he maintained into old age.

Irwin served as a sergeant with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and met his future wife, Margaret, while posted in Scotland in 1945; they married in 1946 and had four children. He helped establish several Coleraine organisations, including the Winemakers Club, Rotary Club and Agivey Anglers Association, and received the British Empire Medal in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.