Ed forced to miss gran's funeral over court fight

Dad says he's defending his integrity' as Anné, 98, is laid to rest

- SANDRA MALLON BY MIA O'HARE

ED Sheeran missed his beloved grandmother's funeral yesterday because he had to "defend his integrity" at a copyright trial.

Anne Mary Sheehan was 98 when she died in Castle Gardens Nursing Home Enniscorthy in Wexford.

At her funeral at St Patrick's Church Monaseed Gorey, Ed's dad John explained why the superstar wasn't present.

In his eulogy he said: "I am very sad Edward is unable to be here.

"He's so upset he has to be thousands of miles away in a court in New York defending his integrity.

"I know he is comforted that he was able to spend some precious time alone with his grandma just a month ago."

The Shape Of You hit maker is being sued by the heirs of the late Ed Townsend, co-writer of Marvin Gaye's 1973 classic Let's Get It On.

They claim Sheeran's hit Thinking Out Loud plagiarised elements of the tune. But the English singer's defence argue the 2014 song - which won two Grammys - is an original composition.

During his eulogy, Mr Sheeran described his mother's life as "rich and fulfilled".

He added: "Nancy Mulligan was a country girl with a tomboy spirit helping out on the family farm.