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Funeral held for former unionist

Robert Overend is pictured with his son Robert was injured during a bomb attack in 1982
Robert Overend is pictured with his son Robert was injured during a bomb attack in 1982 Robert Overend is pictured with his son Robert was injured during a bomb attack in 1982

THE funeral has taken place in Co Derry of a veteran unionist politician Robert Overend.

Mr Overend (86) died last Sunday after a long illness and was buried after a service at Ballyscullion Parish Church in Bellaghy this week.

A prominent member of the Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party in the mid-1970s he represented it at the Constitutional Convention.

He later joined the United Ulster Unionist Party and was elected to the now defunct Magherafelt District Council.

Mr Overend was also a member of the loyal orders in his home village and was a former deputy grand master of the Orange Order.

He was also prominent in a bitter parade dispute in Bellaghy in the mid 1990s acting as a spokesman for both the order and Apprentice Boys.

The former politician was targeted by republicans and his son Robert was seriously injured in an INLA bomb attack in 1982.

Well known in agriculture circles, he was an ex chairman of the British Pig Association and a former board member at the National Pharmacy Association.

He had been breeding pigs since 1958 and owned Deerpark Pedigree Pigs, which exports across the globe, working closely with his sons in the business until recent years.

He was given a European Award for Agriculture for his contribution in the genetic improvement in pigs and 1990 and was given an MBE for his devotion to the pig industry in 1996.

A week ago he retired from the board of governors at Bellaghy PS, which his grandchildren and great grandchildren currently attend, after 48 years.