TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of a former Sinn Féin councillor from Co Tyrone.
Francie McNally, from Ballinderry, died peacefully in hospital on Monday aged in his early sixties.
He will be buried today at St Patrick's Church in Ballinderry. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a funeral Mass in Moortown will take place at a later date.
Mr McNally was a Sinn Féin councillor in the 1980s.
He was a target of loyalist attacks and two of his brothers were killed during the Troubles.
Sinn Féin vice-president and Mid Ulster MLA Michelle O'Neill expressed her condolences.
"I was saddened to hear of the death of Francie McNally," she said.
"Francie was a Sinn Féin councillor from 1985 to 1989 and served the people during very difficult and challenging times.
"My thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends and all who knew him at this time."
Mr McNally's brother Phelim (28) was killed in a gun attack by loyalists on the councillor's home in 1988.
In 1991 another of his brothers, IRA man Lawrence McNally (39), was shot dead in Coagh in an SAS ambush.
Relatives For Justice chief executive Mark Thompson described Francie McNally as a valued member of the victims group.
He said the former councillor had been a successful businessman, having run the pub McNally's Inn near Toomebridge.
"He was a decent man. He was considerate and very thoughtful, and always gave a great contribution when dealing with legacy," he said.
Mr McNally is survived by his wife Annie, children Declan, Sinéad and Peter, five grandchildren and large family circle.