Paramilitary displays: Two held on foot of Peggy O’Hara funeral

Dozens of people in uniform, berets and dark glasses attended Derry service in summer

The funeral procession of veteran Derry republican Peggy O’Hara on  its way  towards the city cemetery following Mass at Longtower Church, July 18th, 2015. File photograph: Margaret McLaughlin
The funeral procession of veteran Derry republican Peggy O’Hara on its way towards the city cemetery following Mass at Longtower Church, July 18th, 2015. File photograph: Margaret McLaughlin

Two people, a man and a woman, were arrested on Wednesday by police investigating paramilitary displays during the wake and funeral of a veteran republican.

The man, a 53-year-old, was later released unconditionally.

Dozens of people wearing military-style uniform, berets and dark glasses attended the service for Peggy O'Hara in Northern Ireland on July 18th last.

Ms O'Hara was the mother of Patsy O'Hara, an Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) member who died in the 1981 hunger strike.

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Police Service of Northern Ireland Det Insp Philip Montgomery said earlier: "Detectives from serious crime branch investigating offences committed at the wake and funeral of Peggy O'Hara in Derry in July have arrested a 53-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman in the city.

“Both suspects have been taken to the serious crime suite at Antrim Police station for questioning. Detectives also carried out searches in the Creggan area of Derry this morning and removed a number of items for examination.”

Neither person has been charged.

Det Insp Montgomery appealed for help from the public on whether they heard shots being fired that evening, or if they knew where persons firing shots went afterwards.

Press Association