A son of Derry republican Eamon “Peggy” McCourt has denounced politicians who criticised the large crowds who attended his funeral.
Eamon McCourt (junior) accused unionists and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood of “jumping on the grave".
His father died with suspected Covid-19 last weekend and was buried on Monday.
A well-known figure in republican circles, he was injured in a shooting exchange between the IRA and SAS in Derry in 1981.
Two IRA members, Charles Pop Maguire and George McBrearty, were killed in the incident at Southway between Derry’s Creggan and Brandywell.
The number of mourners within St Mary’s Church for Mr McCourt's Requiem Mass adhered to Covid rules.
However, there was widespread criticism after pictures showed large crowds following his cortege outside in apparent breach of Covid-19 regulations.
A 'guard of honour' made up of family members and friends and dressed in black trousers, white shirts and black ties also flanked his tricolour-draped coffin.
Sinn Féin said it played no part in organising the funeral, although assembly member Gerry Kelly confirmed that some councillors attended at the roadside.
Police said they have launched an investigation, with unionist politicians comparing the images to the funeral of Belfast republican Bobby Storey last June.
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said while he understood the McCourt family’s grief, those who breached Covid restrictions had “abandoned their duty to their neighbours”.
DUP deputy mayor of Derry and Strabane, Graham Warke, said he plans to raise the funeral at a meeting of the council today.
However, Mr McCourt’s son hit out at those who had criticised the funeral.
In a Facebook post, he said: “Unionist jumping on the grave of Peggy McCourt may be expected but still disgusting. The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood joining in with unionists is pathetic.
“The McCourt family buried Peggy supported by the Creggan community. Sinn Féin republicans were there, non-Sinn Féin republicans were there. So too was SDLP supporters.”
He said a number of funerals of similar size had taken place in Creggan recently, reflecting the community spirit in the area.
“The McCourts are not a clique. This community not a clique. Attacking the family is disgusting by a clique of anti-republicans like Gregory Campbell and Colum Eastwood.”
Mr McCourt appealed for his family to be left alone to grieve his father’s death.
