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David Black: murdered prison officer's funeral taking place | David Black: murdered prison officer's funeral taking place |
(35 minutes later) | |
The funeral of murdered prison officer David Black is under way with a private service at his home in County Tyrone. | The funeral of murdered prison officer David Black is under way with a private service at his home in County Tyrone. |
The father of two was shot dead on the M1 in County Armagh on Thursday as he drove to work at Maghaberry Prison. | The father of two was shot dead on the M1 in County Armagh on Thursday as he drove to work at Maghaberry Prison. |
The 52-year-old from Cookstown was the first prison officer to be murdered in Northern Ireland in almost 20 years. | The 52-year-old from Cookstown was the first prison officer to be murdered in Northern Ireland in almost 20 years. |
After the service at the house, the cortege will make its way through Cookstown for a service at Molesworth Presbyterian Church. | After the service at the house, the cortege will make its way through Cookstown for a service at Molesworth Presbyterian Church. |
Mourners began arriving at the church at about 11:00 GMT. | |
A 20-strong honour guard of prison service staff in dress uniform has formed up to await the cortege. | |
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson is also at the church as are Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt and the leader of the SDLP (Social Democratic and Labour Party) Dr Alasdair McDonnell. | |
Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford is also attending as is his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland Alan Shatter. | |
The Northern Ireland Assembly is suspended until 16:00 GMT because of the funeral. | |
Police sniffer dogs earlier searched around the church ahead of the funeral. | Police sniffer dogs earlier searched around the church ahead of the funeral. |
Dissident Irish republicans are being blamed for Mr Black's murder. | Dissident Irish republicans are being blamed for Mr Black's murder. |
Three men arrested over it have been released without charge. | Three men arrested over it have been released without charge. |
The interment, which is private, will take place at Kildress Parish Church. | The interment, which is private, will take place at Kildress Parish Church. |
A Sinn Fein source told the BBC that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness had been very willing to go to Mr Black's family home in Cookstown and to attend the funeral. | A Sinn Fein source told the BBC that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness had been very willing to go to Mr Black's family home in Cookstown and to attend the funeral. |
However, he had been told the Black family did not wish to have any Sinn Fein representatives there. | However, he had been told the Black family did not wish to have any Sinn Fein representatives there. |
The source said the deputy first minister respected the family's wishes. | The source said the deputy first minister respected the family's wishes. |
Presbyterian moderator Rev Roy Patton will be one of the clergy taking part in the service. | Presbyterian moderator Rev Roy Patton will be one of the clergy taking part in the service. |
He said it would be a sad and difficult occasion. | He said it would be a sad and difficult occasion. |
"I think at a time like this we appreciate the inadequacy of words and how difficult it is to express those feelings we have," he said. | "I think at a time like this we appreciate the inadequacy of words and how difficult it is to express those feelings we have," he said. |
"But at the same time we want to communicate very clearly to the family the depth of feeling. | "But at the same time we want to communicate very clearly to the family the depth of feeling. |
"I know that as I share in the service today and bring condolences to the family, I will do so on behalf of not only the Presbyterian church, but a wider community united in revulsion and rejection of such an act." | "I know that as I share in the service today and bring condolences to the family, I will do so on behalf of not only the Presbyterian church, but a wider community united in revulsion and rejection of such an act." |
The Orange Order, which Mr Black was a member of, tweeted: "The thoughts and prayers of the entire membership of the Orange Institution are today with Bro David Black's family." | |
At the same time as the funeral, a vigil will be held in Belfast in memory of Mr Black. | At the same time as the funeral, a vigil will be held in Belfast in memory of Mr Black. |
It takes place at 13:00 GMT outside the city hall and has been organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. | It takes place at 13:00 GMT outside the city hall and has been organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. |
Visits to Maghaberry prison have also been cancelled on Tuesday because of the funeral. | Visits to Maghaberry prison have also been cancelled on Tuesday because of the funeral. |