Some 500 people attended the funeral of a "real IRA" member in Dundalk, Co Louth, yesterday. Seven men in black berets, sunglasses and combat-style clothing accompanied the cortege from St Nicholas's Church to St Patrick's Cemetery. Black flags hung from many lamp posts. The Special Branch presence was low-key." Real IRA' member, Kevin Murray (48), a father of two from Cox's Demesne, died from a brain tumour.
He was released from Portlaoise Prison several months ago on compassionate parole. He was serving 12 years for bomb-making offences.