Tributes have been paid to a "dedicated and successful" surgeon from Co Down who died suddenly.
Kyle Martin McDonald passed away in his sleep at home in Holywood on Sunday, July 26.
The 38-year-old was well known in the community as a Consultant Spinal Surgeon in the Belfast Trust, committed to helping people.
The North's Health Minister Robin Swann offered his condolences today and said he was a "credit to his family and profession", Belfast Live reports.
A tribute has also been posted on Pouchers Funeral Directors' Facebook page.
The post said that his parents Martin and Anne McDonald are "heartbroken from the loss of an incredible son, as are his sisters Paula and Cathy, their respective husbands, his niece and his nephew".
The post added: "His wife Poppy McDonald (nee Stewart) has lost her best friend and the love of her life. Kyle's biggest success and joy in life was his children, his daughter Darcey (age 6) and his son Rory, age 4.
"The children loved their daddy more than anything and he was and will remain their hero. His wife, Poppy will ensure Kyle's kindness, humour, ambition, quick wit and ability to enjoy life will live on with Darcey and Rory, just as he would have expected her to do.
"Kyle's passing will also be sadly mourned by his wife's parents Charles and Jane Mary Stewart and her brothers Robbie and Charlie along with their respective wives Aisleen and Leanne."
A funeral service is to be held in St Mary's Chapel Newry at 12 noon on Friday July 31 followed by cremation in Roselawn Crematorium Belfast at 3pm.
The post said: "House Private. No flowers please, and contributions kindly accepted in his name to: Helping Hand, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, 180 Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 6BE."
