About 1,000 mourners attended the funeral in west Belfast yesterday of INLA member Mr Patrick Campbell, who was killed in a dispute with Dublin criminals. There were full paramilitary trappings to the funeral, including a nine-strong "guard of honour".
Mr Campbell (22) had moved to Dublin a year ago. He died last weekend after receiving stab wounds in a fight between the INLA and drug-dealers.
A lorry carrying dozens of wreaths led the funeral cortege to Corpus Christi Church, off the Whiterock Road. Black flags hung from many houses. A piper followed the cortege, which was accompanied by nine men in sunglasses and black berets, gloves, and trousers.
The Starry Plough and the Tricolour were draped over the coffin. Mr Campbell's beret, combat belt and gloves sat on top.
The RUC remained well away from the cortege. It is understood that an agreement had been reached with police in behind-the-scenes negotiations involving a third party. A British military helicopter and spotter plane were overhead.
Mr Campbell's father, Robert, was arrested in 1980 after the Provisional IRA shot dead SAS Captain Herbert Westmacott in north Belfast. He escaped from jail the following year and has been on the run since.
However, he attended his son's funeral yesterday. As the cortege approached the church, members of the Provisional IRA prevented reporters from going any farther. Sources said this was to prevent any filming of Mr Robert Campbell carrying his son's coffin.
Members of Sinn Fein, including Mr Martin Meehan and Councillor Michael Browne, attended. Leading figures in the Provisional IRA were also present.
Mr Campbell was buried in Milltown Cemetery. The oration was given by Irish Republican Socialist Party member Mr Paul Little. Condemning drug-dealers as "selfish, greedy and brutal", he claimed police on both sides of the Border "look the other way or use these vermin as their touts and informers in working-class communities."