THE funeral has taken place in Co Donegal of H-Block escapee Paddy McIntyre.
The Letterkenny republican was one of 38 IRA inmates who broke out of the former prison site in Co Antrim in September 1983.
The 61-year-old year old died earlier this month after a long illness.
Arrested along with eight others after providing a colour party at an Easter parade in Derry in 1978, Mr McIntyre was later sentenced and transferred to the H-Blocks where he joined the 'Blanket' protest for political status.
After the escape, during which a prison officer died, he fled to Co Down where he and Joe Corey, from Co Derry, were recaptured two days later after a two-hour siege at a farmhouse near Castlewellan.
McIntyre's arrest made headlines internationally and images of the two men leaving the house with Fr James Mooney were beamed around the globe.
He failed to return to prison in 1986 after he was allowed out on a pre-release scheme.
Attempts to have him extradited later failed.
McIntrye was also well known for his love of the GAA and was a strong supporter of St Eunan's in Letterkenny.
He worked for at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny for more than 30 years.
He was described by a friend, James Wood, as “a true gentleman, family man and GAA stalwart”.
