Northern Ireland

Family of former IRA man Eamon 'Peggy' McCourt 'cut all ties' with republican movement in row over Roll of Honour

Derry man Eamon 'Peggy' McCourt died in hospital last Saturday with suspected Covid-19
Derry man Eamon 'Peggy' McCourt died in hospital last Saturday with suspected Covid-19 Derry man Eamon 'Peggy' McCourt died in hospital last Saturday with suspected Covid-19

THE family of former IRA man Eamon 'Peggy' McCourt say they have "cut all ties" with the republican movement following a row over adding his name to a 'Roll of Honour' in Derry.

The 62-year-old former IRA member from the Creggan, died in hospital last week having reportedly contracted Covid-19.

Images that emerged online following his funeral last Monday showed a large crowd behind a hearse, which was flanked by two lines of mourners in white shirts and black ties.

The footage is being reviewed by police to for potential breaches of the Covid regulations.

Sinn Féin has confirmed a number of councillors were present but said that the party did not have a role in organising the event.

However in another development McCourt's son has hit out at the republican movement in a row over honouring his late father.

Posting on Facebook, Mr McCourt's son, Eamon wrote: "Today the Fisher and McCourt family have had to cut all ties with the republican movement and Sinn Féin.

"We really wished it didn't have to come to this - in fact we never thought this would've ever been a situation - but we will always be certain that they have made a mistake today in not honouring Òglach Peggy McCourt to the roll of honour here in Derry the town he fought and made a better place."

McCourt was involved in one of the most notorious episodes of the Troubles in 1981 when he was injured in a shooting exchange between the IRA and SAS in which IRA members Charles ‘Pop’ Maguire and George McBrearty were killed.

Sinn Féin has not commented.