There were no paramilitary trappings at the funeral yesterday of Mr Bobby Mahood, one of three men shot dead this week in the loyalist paramilitary feud.
However, members of several loyalist paramilitary groupings attended the service at Mr Mahood's home off Belfast's Shankill Road.
Mr Mahood (48), who had UVF connections but was sympathetic to anti-agreement loyalists, including Johnny Adair, was shot dead on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast last Monday as he sat in a car with his friend, Mr Jackie Coulter. Mr Coulter had UDA connections and was also an Adair associate.
The UVF has been blamed for the double murder as part of its feud with the UDA/UFF, which claimed its third victim on Wednesday night.
About 600 mourners and neighbours lined the street outside Mr Mahood's house as a private service was conducted by Canon Barry Dodds from St Michael's Church of Ireland on the lower Shankill Road. Mr Mahood's brother, Jackie, who has survived several attempts on his life, also attended the funeral.
Canon Dodds told reporters before entering the house that he would reflect on Mr Mahood's life and his role in the community. "Bobby, when he was running the Sportsmans bar, would not allow any side to badmouth another side, and I am following his example today," he said.
Apprentice Boys from west Belfast, wearing maroon sashes, carried the coffin as the cortege left the house in Snugville Street, less than 50 yards from the Sportsmans bar. Mr Mahood was a member of the Apprentice Boys, the Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution.
Mr Alistair Simpson, governor of the Apprentice Boys, led a guard of honour around his coffin as about 150 all-male mourners walked in silence towards the Crumlin Road.
It is understood that Mr Mahood's family requested no paramilitary trappings, and this was honoured. However, several prominent loyalists from Portadown, as well as UVF members, were among the mourners.
Also there was Mr Winston Dodds, one of Johnny Adair's most trusted minders, who appeared to be wearing a bulletproof vest.
A loyalist source at the funeral said Mr Mahood and Mr Coulter, who were good friends, had been trying to resolve the loyalist feud and had been talking about approaching UVF and UDA/UFF leaders when they were killed.
The source said Mr Mahood's father told him: "The irony is that he [Mahood] and Jackie were talking about going to see the leadership of both sides to see if they could calm down the situation." Among the wreaths lining the hearse was a bunch of red, white and blue carnations from the men of A company of the UDA and UFF, which read: "A friend to all and an enemy to none". Another came from Jordie Taggart and the prisoners of Maghaberry prison, where Adair has been locked up since his early-release licence was suspended this week.
Mr John White, chairman of the Ulster Democratic Party, political wing of the UDA/UFF, briefly helped carry Mr Mahood's coffin. Mr Mahood's two sons, Robert (22) and David (15), wept as they walked behind his coffin. His partner, Jean, did not join the procession.
The cortege paused as it passed the spot on the Crumlin Road where the double murder was carried out.
Mr Mahood's body was taken to Carnmoney Cemetery, close to Glengormley, near Belfast. The funeral of Mr Coulter, who is expected to be buried with full paramilitary honours, will take place today.