How the death of 'gangster of gangsters' Damien Noonan led to downfall of feared Manchester crime family
Fly posters were plastered around the city centre giving details of the arrangements. Hundreds of people lined the streets of Salford as an 18-piece bagpipe band led the horse-drawn funeral procession.
Read more: The violent rise and fall of gangster 'White Tony'... devoted Winnie Johnson's other lost boy Smart, canny and astute, Damien was described by journalist Donal MacIntyre, who made a documentary about the brothers, as 'the UN peace keeper in gangland Manchester'. He bought and cemented loyalties by supporting different causes in his community, while also resolving disputes and rows.
Defending their turf came at a cost. The Noonans became 'synonymous with violence', former GMP officer, Martin Harding once said. But a jury failed to reach verdicts and a retrial was ordered which saw Dessie tried again alongside two other people. This time one defendant was cleared and the jury failed to reach a verdict on Desmond Noonan and another defendant. Judge Rhys Davies entered not guilty verdicts on their behalf as it was the second time the jury had failed to reach a decision and 'justice would not be served' by a third trial.
The Requiem Mass was broadcast on a PA system outside to scores of mourners who were unable to get into the church. He was buried at St Joseph's Cemetery in Moston. On his imposing black and gold headstone the family inscribed: "Our family chain is broken/Nothing seems the same."
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