THE wife a prominent Co Derry republican says his paramilitary-style funeral was meant to fulfil and respect his "final wishes".

Hundreds gathered in Bellaghy last week for the funeral of Declan McGlinchey, a son of murdered INLA chief of staff Dominic McGlinchey.

But his send-off sparked anger among unionists who criticised the use of paramilitary displays and the lack of a police response.

A balaclava-clad 'colour party' stood alongside the coffin outside his home before men in berets marched with the main funeral procession through Bellaghy.

Masked gunmen also fired a volley of shots in south Derry the night before the funeral in a paramilitary 'show of strength'.

The PSNI confirmed it is investigating whether any offences were committed.

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson has urged police to review their handling of paramilitary-style funerals, describing the scenes as a "blatant and ugly display of terrorism".

But Declan's uncle, Sinn Féin councillor Sean McGlinchey, said the funeral was "very dignified" and accused unionists of "playing politics".

A well-known republican, Declan McGlinchey was previously arrested in connection with the 2009 murder of two British soldiers at Massereene Barracks, but was released without charge.

The father-of-seven, an Irish Republican Socialist Party member, died aged 39 of a suspected heart attack after suffering chest pains on Sunday November 1.

In recent years he had become involved in campaigning for dissident republican prisoners, and his family said he wanted to contribute to the peace process.

Brenda McGlinchey said she hoped her husband was "happy with the send-off" that friends and family had organised.

In a message to her husband on Facebook, she wrote: "I hope you were happy with the send-off we gave you. We tried our very best to fulfil and respect all your final wishes."

Mrs McGlinchey said she has lost her "best friend" and the love of her life.

"I've spent more years of my life with you than I did without you. You were the best husband and father we could have wished for and I don't know how we can live without you but we have to try," she said.

"You're probably laughing now because you've finally got me to say this publicly instead of my preferred way in private.

"Our hearts are broken and life for us will never be the same, but for now good night Declan until we meet again."

Unionists had also raised concerns over Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club members forming a guard of honour at the funeral, and children in school uniforms attending.

TUV councillor Stephen Cooper asked: "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?"

But the GAA said Declan was a member of the club, while the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools said pupils attended to "provide support and comfort" to Mr McGlinchey's children.

The PSNI said a "proportionate policing operation was deployed" for the funeral.