THE GAA has defended Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAC over the club’s decision to form a guard of honour for the deceased at a paramilitary-style funeral.
Prominent Derry Republican Declan McGlinchey, son of murdered INLA chief Dominic McGlinchey, was laid to rest on Wednesday with hundreds of mourners in attendance.
Wearing their blue and white club jerseys, Bellaghy members led the cortege to St Mary's Church before forming a guard of honour outside after the Mass.
Stephen Cooper, a councillor for Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), has raised concerns over GAA club members “standing side-by-side with men in paramilitary dress,” but a spokesman for the Association has defended Bellaghy.
They told The Irish News: "It is the understanding of the GAA that Declan McGlinchey was a member of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA and therefore the presence of club members at his funeral was in the context of his active membership of his local club and his membership of the association."
Murdered INLA man Dominic McGlinchey's son Declan dies suddenly https://t.co/1TNNAK4M1L pic.twitter.com/1ltAnhkOGv
— Belfast Live (@BelfastLive) November 2, 2015
In a club statement, Bellaghy GAC added: "The late Declan McGlinchey was a member of our club and for many years assisted with coaching, fundraising and general support for the GAA in our area. Many members of his young family are also members and players at various age groups.
"In recognition of the tremendous loss that his family and friends in the local area have suffered and of the work that he put into the development of our club a guard of honour was provided for his funeral."
See More: Dominic McGlinchey, Featured, GAA, Republican Funeral
