Funeral for suicide bomb victim

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Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of a Scottish soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Private Craig O'Donnell, 24, died in a suicide bomb attack on 4 September when a Nato military convoy was attacked on the main Kabul-Jalalabad road.

The soldier from Clydebank served with The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, part of the 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

About 600 mourners gathered at St Stephen's Church in Clydebank.

His funeral was held with full military honours.

Angels are waiting in heaven to welcome you with open arms Mark O'Donnell

Mourners included his girlfriend Jessica, who is due to give birth to their first child in December, and his parents Robert and Lorraine O'Donnell.

The soldier's coffin was draped in a Union Flag, with his military hat on top beside a dozen red roses.

A eulogy was delivered by Private O'Donnell's uncle and godfather, Mark O'Donnell.

He said of the soldier: "From the moment I first set eyes on you and the first time I ever cuddled you I thought the world of you.

"You were always on the go, a very active boy. You grew up with independence and pride.

"Angels are waiting in heaven to welcome you with open arms."

Father Jim Burns conducted the service and described the young man as a "livewire" who sacrificed his life for the freedom of others.

Swapped seats

Private O'Donnell joined the Argylls in 2004.

He had served in Bosnia and Kenya before deploying to Afghanistan as part of the force protection element in Kabul in July.

Last week, it emerged the soldier had swapped seats in the patrol car with fellow Scot Lance Corporal Neil McCallion, 22, moments before the fatal blast.

L/Cpl McCallion, of Dumbarton, survived the attack but was badly injured and is now receiving treatment for shrapnel wounds.