Menu
20/08/2019
Outcry As Shots Fired Over Open Coffin
Online footage showing shots being fired over an open coffin have sparked outrage among local political representatives.
The video emerged following the funeral of Alex Murphy, a veteran republican, in west Belfast on Monday 19 August.
The 61-year-old was one of two men convicted of the IRA killing of two soldiers, Corporal David Howes and Corporal Derek Wood in March 1988. They were murdered after they drove into an IRA funeral in the area.
The graphic footage shows Murphy's open coffin, draped in an Irish tricolour, with two men wearing black balaclavas standing over it. One is holding a gun and was met with an applause after firing a number of shots in the air. The display appears to have taken place in a busy residential area.
Police have launched an investigation into the act, which has been widely condemned across the political spectrum.
UUP MLA Doug Beattie said the video displays a sight that belongs to "a past that we were supposed to have left behind".
The party's spokesperson for justice, Mr Beattie urged the Public Prosecution Service to explain the standard for prosecutions in cases involving paramilitary displays. "As far as a reasonable bystander is concerned, anyone involved in yesterday's event wearing berets, matching clothing and 'D Company' armbands, was involved in an illegal paramilitary display and should be prosecuted accordingly," the upper Bann MLA commented.
Mr Beattie also said the act shows that IRA structures continue to operate in the west Belfast area.
DUP MLA for east Belfast Jolene Bunting said the issue will be raised at the next meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, while party leader Arlene Foster condemned the IRA display as "utterly depressing".
Meanwhile, TUV Leader Jim Allister urged the PSNI to investigate the footage seriously. He said: "There are a number of obvious questions. Not least who is the unmasked man standing to the left of the footage? Why is he wearing rubber gloves at a funeral?
"The PSNI need to be seen to taking this matter seriously. There are obvious lines of inquiry which need to be followed. Confidence in the police service is already at a low point within the Unionist community. If they are going to recover any of the lost ground there must be prosecutions following today's events."
An SDLP representative for the area hit out after the footage emerged online. Paul Doherty said there is no place in society for the actions of those behind the dangerous display.
"It doesn't matter who is beneath the mask, what their motives are or where in the city it happens, there is no place on the streets of Belfast for masked men with guns to assert their influence or dominance in our communities," Mr Doherty commented.
"The practice of firing shots above coffins in residential communities has to stop. It's dangerous, illegal and it's clearly having an impact on community relations."
(JG/CM)
The video emerged following the funeral of Alex Murphy, a veteran republican, in west Belfast on Monday 19 August.
The 61-year-old was one of two men convicted of the IRA killing of two soldiers, Corporal David Howes and Corporal Derek Wood in March 1988. They were murdered after they drove into an IRA funeral in the area.
The graphic footage shows Murphy's open coffin, draped in an Irish tricolour, with two men wearing black balaclavas standing over it. One is holding a gun and was met with an applause after firing a number of shots in the air. The display appears to have taken place in a busy residential area.
Police have launched an investigation into the act, which has been widely condemned across the political spectrum.
UUP MLA Doug Beattie said the video displays a sight that belongs to "a past that we were supposed to have left behind".
The party's spokesperson for justice, Mr Beattie urged the Public Prosecution Service to explain the standard for prosecutions in cases involving paramilitary displays. "As far as a reasonable bystander is concerned, anyone involved in yesterday's event wearing berets, matching clothing and 'D Company' armbands, was involved in an illegal paramilitary display and should be prosecuted accordingly," the upper Bann MLA commented.
Mr Beattie also said the act shows that IRA structures continue to operate in the west Belfast area.
DUP MLA for east Belfast Jolene Bunting said the issue will be raised at the next meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, while party leader Arlene Foster condemned the IRA display as "utterly depressing".
Meanwhile, TUV Leader Jim Allister urged the PSNI to investigate the footage seriously. He said: "There are a number of obvious questions. Not least who is the unmasked man standing to the left of the footage? Why is he wearing rubber gloves at a funeral?
"The PSNI need to be seen to taking this matter seriously. There are obvious lines of inquiry which need to be followed. Confidence in the police service is already at a low point within the Unionist community. If they are going to recover any of the lost ground there must be prosecutions following today's events."
An SDLP representative for the area hit out after the footage emerged online. Paul Doherty said there is no place in society for the actions of those behind the dangerous display.
"It doesn't matter who is beneath the mask, what their motives are or where in the city it happens, there is no place on the streets of Belfast for masked men with guns to assert their influence or dominance in our communities," Mr Doherty commented.
"The practice of firing shots above coffins in residential communities has to stop. It's dangerous, illegal and it's clearly having an impact on community relations."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 December 2016
PSNI Probe After Rocket Launcher Footage
Police have launched an investigation after footage, which has been circulating on social media, appears to show masked men armed with rocket launchers in north Belfast. According to the PSNI, the footage, which was recorded on a mobile phone, will "frighten and cause distress to the local community".
PSNI Probe After Rocket Launcher Footage
Police have launched an investigation after footage, which has been circulating on social media, appears to show masked men armed with rocket launchers in north Belfast. According to the PSNI, the footage, which was recorded on a mobile phone, will "frighten and cause distress to the local community".
09 October 2009
Fury Over IRA Funeral 'Display'
Masked gunmen involved in a 'show of strength' at republican John Brady's funeral should be hauled before the courts, a victims' campaigner has said. Four men dressed in military garb and balaclavas surrounded Mr Brady's coffin yesterday. Shots were fired into the air by three of the men. Mourners then applauded the volley of rounds.
Fury Over IRA Funeral 'Display'
Masked gunmen involved in a 'show of strength' at republican John Brady's funeral should be hauled before the courts, a victims' campaigner has said. Four men dressed in military garb and balaclavas surrounded Mr Brady's coffin yesterday. Shots were fired into the air by three of the men. Mourners then applauded the volley of rounds.
18 August 2023
Man Who Died In Toomebridge Crash Named
A man who died in a crash in Toomebridge on Thursday, 17 August, was Ciaran Hurl, the PSNI have confirmed. Ciaran, aged 26, was from the Moortown area and was riding a motorcycle involved in a collision with a lorry on Blackpark Road just before 6am. The road has since been re-opened.
Man Who Died In Toomebridge Crash Named
A man who died in a crash in Toomebridge on Thursday, 17 August, was Ciaran Hurl, the PSNI have confirmed. Ciaran, aged 26, was from the Moortown area and was riding a motorcycle involved in a collision with a lorry on Blackpark Road just before 6am. The road has since been re-opened.
20 February 2023
Appeal For Information On Newtownards Shooting Incident
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information following a shooting incident in the Newtownards area on the evening of Saturday 18th February. Superintendent Johnston McDowell said: "It was reported at around 10:45pm that shots were fired through the front door of a property in The Meadows area of Newtownards.
Appeal For Information On Newtownards Shooting Incident
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information following a shooting incident in the Newtownards area on the evening of Saturday 18th February. Superintendent Johnston McDowell said: "It was reported at around 10:45pm that shots were fired through the front door of a property in The Meadows area of Newtownards.
02 May 2019
New IRA Graffiti Appears At Site Of Lyra McKee's Murder
Graffiti purporting to be in support of the New IRA has appeared in the Creggan area of L'Derry, warning the community against passing information to the police. The slogans appeared this morning, Thursday 02 May, metres from the spot where journalist Lyra McKee was shot on Thursday April 18.
New IRA Graffiti Appears At Site Of Lyra McKee's Murder
Graffiti purporting to be in support of the New IRA has appeared in the Creggan area of L'Derry, warning the community against passing information to the police. The slogans appeared this morning, Thursday 02 May, metres from the spot where journalist Lyra McKee was shot on Thursday April 18.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
