A united Ireland ‘would be the most fitting tribute’ to former IRA man – Kelly
Delivering a united Ireland would be the “most fitting tribute” to former senior IRA man Brendan “Bik” McFarlane, mourners in Belfast have heard.
Senior republicans including former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, Donegal TD Pearse Doherty, North Belfast MP John Finucane and North Belfast MLA Caral Ni Chuilin were among large crowds who turned out for a final send-off for McFarlane on Tuesday.
He was best known by many for having taken part in the biggest escape in UK prison history, along with Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly, who delivered the graveside oration at Milltown Cemetery.
Mr Kelly recalled being on the run with McFarlane across Europe, and paid tribute to him for having been a key part of the planning of the “audacious escape”.
“It still sends shockwaves through the British government and was worldwide news,” he said.
Mr Kelly said that as a teenager McFarlane had intended to become a priest and entered a seminary in Wales, but returned home to Belfast at the start of the Troubles.
McFarlane was sent to Maze Prison after being convicted of a deadly bomb attack on a pub in the Protestant Shankill Road area in 1975.
He went on to become the officer in command of the H-Block prisoners during the 1981 hunger strike over conditions in the Maze.
In 1983, he was among 38 IRA inmates who fled the facility in Co Antrim.
They used smuggled guns and knives to overpower prison staff before hijacking a food lorry and driving to the main gate.
Mr Kelly said McFarlane went on to “throw himself into local politics and community work” following his release from prison in 1997.
“He supported the negotiations for the Good Friday Agreement and used his very strong influence talking to others,” he said.
“He was a huge part of getting me elected as an MLA for North Belfast in 1998.
“He had no interest in becoming an elected representative but was a driving force in North Belfast and increasing our vote, election after election.”
“We will achieve a united Ireland, a new republic for the rights and identity of all people living on this island of whatever persuasion or background will be welcomed.
“That will be the most fitting tribute we can give to our friend and comrade Bik McFarlane.”
Earlier, the street outside McFarlane’s home in the north of the city was filled while a burial service and blessing was conducted by priest Father Gary Donegan.
Mr Adams was among those who took a turn at carrying McFarlane’s coffin, which was draped with an Irish flag, along the Cliftonville Road before it was transported by hearse to Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast.