Unionist anger at Brady funeral display

Unionists have condemned the republican funeral for Volunteer John Brady as “obscene”.

Mr Brady’s death is currently the subject of an investigation by the The Strabane man died while in the custody of the PSNI police in Derry last week. His family have questioned claims that he took his own life.

Three masked and uniformed men fired several volleys over his coffin on Thursday. A fourth man, also dressed in a combat outfit, shouted orders to the gunmen.

The large crowd applauded before forming the funeral cortege behind a substantial colour party, dressed in white shirts and black ties.

The PSNI monitored events from a distance while a Crown force helicopter flew overhead.

Mourners attending Brady’s funeral were told a full disclosure of details surrounding his death must be provided.

Strabane priest, Fr Declan Boland said: “It was Jesus who said that the truth would set us free and it is my wish that the full truth of his sudden and unexpected death will be available to his family as quickly as possible.

“Without this they will not be able to engage with their grief or cope with their tragedy.”

Following Requiem Mass in Strabane Mr Brady was laid to rest at Doneyloop cemetery where his father is buried.

Former Donegal Sinn Fein councillor Liam McElhinney delivered a graveside oration in which he also called for the details surrounding Mr Brady’s death to be made public.

Ulster Unionist assembly member, David McClarty said Mr Brady’s funeral was “disgraceful” and a “public display of hatred”.

“This was an unlawful act and the PSNI should take swift action,” said DUP West Tyrone Assembly member Allan Bresland.

Jim Allister of Traditional Unionist Voice also expressed outrage, insisting there was a relationship between the Provisional IRA and the breakaway republican groups.

“It has long been my belief that there are clear connections between those whose political proxies partner pro-agreement unionists in government and so-called dissidents,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Police Ombudsman’s Office has said it has seized all PSNI camera footage relating to the death.

It claimed its investigators attended the scene immediately on being notified, and had gathered all forensic and witness evidence and had also interviewed all the relevant members of the PSNI.

The Brady family and their solicitors are understood to have raised a number of issues with the ombudsman.

Urgent Appeal