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Mob victim's funeral under way Father murder 'premeditated evil'
(30 minutes later)
The funeral of Kevin McDaid, who died after being beaten by a loyalist mob, is under way in Coleraine. The murder of Kevin McDaid was an act of "primitive and premeditated evil," a priest has told mourners at his funeral.
The deputy first minister Martin McGuinness and several hundred mourners are attending Requiem Mass at St John's church in Killowen. The deputy first minister Martin McGuinness was among several hundred people who attended Requiem Mass at St John's church in Coleraine on Monday.
The Catholic father-of-four was attacked near his Somerset Drive home in the town last Sunday. The Catholic father-of-four was beaten to death by a loyalist mob outside his home in Somerset Drive a week ago.
Nine men have been charged in connection with Mr McDaid's murder and the attempted murder of his friend. Father Charles Keaney said "prejudices of the past" had to be put aside.
Damien Fleming is still critically ill in hospital. He said that Mr McDaid had been known as the "peacemaker", and said that what had happened to him "had nothing to do with religion or even football.
Trouble flared in the Heights area of Coleraine last weekend after Rangers won the Scottish Premier League over rivals Celtic. "It was like something from the Dark Ages.
"Retaliation of any kind would dishonour the memory of Kevin McDaid," he said.
Nine men have been charged in connection with Mr McDaid's murder and the attempted murder of his friend, Damien Fleming.
Mr Fleming is still critically ill in hospital.
Trouble flared in the Heights area of Coleraine a week ago after Rangers won the Scottish Premier League over rivals Celtic.
Support for the two Glasgow football teams, known as the Old Firm, has traditionally divided along religious lines in Northern Ireland.Support for the two Glasgow football teams, known as the Old Firm, has traditionally divided along religious lines in Northern Ireland.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was among the mournersDeputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was among the mourners
Most Rangers supporters are Protestants while Celtic fans are predominantly Catholic, and the rivalry between the teams has often been mirrored in sectarian clashes following big games.Most Rangers supporters are Protestants while Celtic fans are predominantly Catholic, and the rivalry between the teams has often been mirrored in sectarian clashes following big games.
Mr McDaid's family said they were concerned police were involved in "negotiations" with loyalists on the day he was killed.Mr McDaid's family said they were concerned police were involved in "negotiations" with loyalists on the day he was killed.
However, Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said officers worked to ease tensions and came quickly to his aid.However, Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said officers worked to ease tensions and came quickly to his aid.
On Friday night, a band parade in Coleraine, which organisers diverted to avoid the area where the murder happened, passed without incident.On Friday night, a band parade in Coleraine, which organisers diverted to avoid the area where the murder happened, passed without incident.
Parish priest Father Charlie Keaney said some Rangers supporters had left their football shirts in tribute outside Mr McDaid's house.Parish priest Father Charlie Keaney said some Rangers supporters had left their football shirts in tribute outside Mr McDaid's house.