Images emerge of crowd of mourners at new republican funeral procession

Mr McCourt had died in Altnagelvin hospital on January 23, reportedly of Covid-19, at the age of 62.

He was a former prisoner, and had been shot by the Army in 1981 while travelling with two other paramilitaries, who were killed.

Donegal Ógra Shinn Féin stated on Facebook: “We have received the sad news that Eamon ‘Peggy’ McCourt has died after a battle with Covid-19.”

“Peggy was a dedicated republican who helped build Sinn Féin in Derry and was active in his community. “

On a Facebook page bearing Mr McCourt’s name and photo (www.facebook.com/eamonn.mccourt.3), a message today read: “Although the hardest day of my life it was also the most humbling, my family were amazing and really honoured my da, the guard of honor lead with family... was a privilege to our family and to my daddy no doubt! Thank everyone of you’s.

“To my das second family, his comrades the republican movement we can’t thank you enough for giving him the respect and the best republican funeral we could give in these awful times...

“And most importantly than anything else to all the people who prayed for his health and for our family after his death and there was thousands among thousands who did this and it helped us immensely!

“Now daddy sleep well and toast with the boys of the old brigade up there of your success of giving us a better life, love you and will always miss you until its my time for you to come pick me up.”

It followed on from a notice the previous evening on the same page which read: “Folks my father’s remains will be leaving the family home around 9:15am, everyone is entitled to attend for he deserves a fitting farewell, but please everyone lets use our heads with social distancing and masks ect.

“Only a small number is allowed in the Chapel but the cemetery will be open to all for his final goodbye. Rest easy da will see it through up the ra!”

WHAT DO THE GUIDELINES SAY?

The Covid guidance on funerals currently states: “Funeral arrangements should not be advertised in newspapers or online services.

“Notice of the death can be placed but specific arrangements should not appear.”

It also says: “Due to the current pandemic, many of the traditional rituals and practices are unable to be continued and this may have an impact on the bereaved...

“If the death is COVID-19 related... the remains are not to be taken to a private dwelling...

“A maximum of 25 mourners are permitted to attend the committal of a body at a graveside or the City of Belfast Crematorium. This includes clergy/officiants and children under 12 years old (Funeral staff and cemetery operatives are excluded from this number)...

“Families and mourners should follow the advice on social distancing when travelling to and from the funeral. Wherever possible, mourners are encouraged to travel in a car by themselves or only with people from their household.”

In terms of enforceable law, people have been asked not to leave home except for a valid reason – although funerals are one such reason, as is visiting “a burial ground to pay respects to a member of the person’s household, family member or friend”.

An online guide to the current Covid rules states: “You may not organise, operate or participate in a gathering of more than 25 persons for the purpose of a funeral or associated event.

“This number includes children under the age of 12 and the celebrant.

“If the number of attendees are more than six people and/or from more than two households (up to a maximum of 25), then the organiser or operator of the marriage or civil partnership must carry out a risk assessment and put in place, implement and maintain mitigating measures to reduce the risk of virus transmission.

“Whether you are a person attending or a person responsible for organising or operating a funeral or associated event in a Church, funeral directors or elsewhere you must comply with the guidance on managing funerals issued by the Department of Health.”

In terms of general health advice, the guidance states: “If you leave the place where you live, you should wherever possible maintain a social distance of at least 2 metres (6 feet) between you and anyone outside of your household...

“Where two metres is not possible a minimum of one metre distancing is still safer than close contact if additional mitigating measures are implemented e.g.

good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene practices including the wearing of face coverings.

“Everyone should adhere to these measures at all times.”

More from this reporter:

Click here: Bobby Storey funeral: Wikipedia a battleground over IRA man’s memory as over 70 edits made

Click here: Bobby Storey funeral: DUP group leader hoping for independent probe to report in a fortnight (published in July)

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