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Police at republican funeral after shots fired over coffin

A republican socialist colour party flanked the funeral cortege of veteran Derry republican, Seamus O'Kane. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
A republican socialist colour party flanked the funeral cortege of veteran Derry republican, Seamus O'Kane. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin A republican socialist colour party flanked the funeral cortege of veteran Derry republican, Seamus O'Kane. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

THE funeral took place yesterday of veteran Derry republican Seamus O’Kane who died earlier this week.

Police confirmed they are investigating reports that shots were fired outside Mr O’Kane’s home at Glenowen on Wednesday ahead of the funeral.

While there was a security presence at the funeral police kept a distance as Mr O’Kane’s coffin was carried from his home yesterday draped in the red Starry Plough of the republican socialist movement.

The coffin, which also carried the beret and gloves of a former active paramilitary, was flanked by a colour party.

Mourners included members of Mr O’Kane’s family as well as former People before Profit assembly member, Eamonn McCann, well known Derry republican socialist Tommy McCourt and IRSP Ard Comhairle member, Michael Kelly who delivered a graveside oration.

The Belfast republican said Mr O’Kane had been a founding member of the IRSP and INLA following a split from the Official IRA in 1974 and remained active in republican socialist politics throughout his life.