MASKED gunmen fired a volley of shots ahead of the funeral of Declan McGlinchey in a paramilitary 'show of strength'.
Pictures emerged on Wednesday night appearing to show three people wielding weapons and a fourth holding an image of the son of INLA gunman Dominic McGlinchey.
It is believed the paramilitary display was staged in south Derry on Tuesday night.
A 'colour party' wearing masks and berets also stood alongside the coffin outside Mr McGlinchey's home yesterday morning, before unmasked men in berets marched with the main funeral procession through Bellaghy.
The coffin was draped in a starry plough flag and tricolour and carried a black beret and gloves.
TUV councillor Stephen Cooper last night hit out at the police response.
"There will be many members of the public wondering why another uniformed organisation, the PSNI, appears to have been absent from what amounted to a paramilitary show of strength in broad daylight," he said.
Citing a British government report on paramilitary activity last month, which said the INLA continues to have access to some weapons, the Ards and North Down councillor also expressed concern about the sight of children in school uniforms and mourners in GAA jerseys.
"What sort of 'shared future' is being created in Northern Ireland when sports clubs and schoolgirls are seen side by side with men in paramilitary dress?" he said.
Mr McGlinchey was well-known in GAA circles in Co Derry and his funeral heard that he helped youth teams in Bellaghy.
A PSNI spokesman said: "Police are aware of a funeral which took place in Bellaghy. Following consultation with local representatives and, taking into consideration the feelings of the family at this time, a proportionate policing operation was deployed in the area.
"Police have not received any complaints or are aware of any incidents during the funeral however if any criminal offences are detected, these will be pursued by police."
