Thousands of people have turned out in Belfast today for the funeral of PUP leader David Ervine, who died on Monday.
The late David Ervine
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, PSNI chief constable Sir Hugh Orde, and Northern Secretary Peter Hain were among mourners at today's service.
Belfast came to a standstill for one of the city's largest funerals in recent times.
Almost 800 people packed into the East Belfast Mission Hall for the service, while the streets outside were lined with onlookers.
Among them were familiar faces once associated with Mr Ervine when he was a member of the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force.
Mr Ervine (53) died in hospital on Monday after suffering a heart attack, stroke and brain haemorrhage.
Convicted of driving a bomb for the UVF in the 1970s, he became involved in politics and was one of the moving forces behind the UVF's ceasefire in 1994.
Methodist minister the Rev Dr Gary Mason paid tribute to the East Belfast man's desire for peace during the ceremony. A screen inside the church showed a photo of the outspoken politician standing by the sea.
Local political leaders Sir Reg Empey, from the Ulster Unionist Party, Mark Durkan, from the SDLP, and David Ford, from the Alliance, were also present.
Mourners were led by Mr Ervine's wife, Jeanette, and sons, Owen and Mark.
The service was relayed outside via loudspeakers and the Union Jack flags associated with East Belfast's largely unionist identity were flying at half- mast as a symbol of mourning.
Mr Ervine was a Progressive Unionist Party assemblyman and councillor for the area, and the trade unionist's son was known for his defence of the underprivileged and his desire to combat sectarianism.
Representatives from the Republic who attended included Government adviser and Senator Martin Mansergh and Progressive Democrat deputy leader Liz O'Donnell.
Former Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble attended, as did paramilitary leader Jackie McDonald from the Ulster Defence Association.
The Northern Ireland Office security minister David Hanson was also present.