BBC News
By Stephen Dempster
He maintained he was framed for a notorious Troubles murder, but has died without clearing his name.
Earlier this week, in a quiet corner of the County Down countryside several miles outside Rathfriland, about 30 people gathered in a churchyard.
Braving an unseasonal chill in the air and the passing showers, the mourners quietly looked on as the body of 74-year-old George Kirkpatrick was lowered into the ground.
The funeral service and burial were short.
There was little fuss.
But the passing of George Kirkpatrick is significant.
Because while some in this community will say good riddance to a man they believe was a murderer, others are haunted by the fact he went to his grave always protesting he was an innocent man.