BALLYMONEY town centre came to a standstill yesterday as people lined the streets for the funeral of RUC Constable Greg Taylor, beaten to death by loyalists last weekend.
Shops and offices closed as a mark of respect to the dead policeman. The president of the chamber of commerce, Mr Jonathon Payne, said the whole town was devastated by the murder.
Several thousand people attended the funeral. They included the DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley, and the RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan. Hundreds more stood in the grounds of St Patrick's Church, which was packed to capacity.
Mr Taylor (41) was savagely beaten to death just yards from the church gate early on Sunday. He was attacked after leaving Kelly's pub, where he had been jeered and taunted by loyalists angry at the RUC's ban on Orange marches in neighbouring Dunloy.
At the funeral yesterday, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev James Moore said the whole community had been diminished by the horrific attack.
"Another police family has been devastated by cruel murder. All murder is evil and against the law of God, but that a man should be cruelly kicked to death is wicked and savage in the extreme and so even harder for a family to bear," he said.
Mr Moore said that the RUC had an excellent record of serving the community with integrity. Officers constantly risked their lives in an attempt to keep the peace, he stated. In a veiled reference to the strong feelings in the community over controversial marches, he appealed to the public not to take their frustration out on the police.
Mr Taylor's wife, Kathleen, his son, Christopher, who has cerebral palsy and was brought to the funeral in a wheelchair, and his teenage son and daughter, Jonathon and Sharon, all wept copiously as they followed the coffin, which was draped in a Union Jack.
Beside a huge wreath with the inscription "DAD", a card said: "You were taken away before we had a chance to say good-bye but we will love you forever". Mr Taylor was buried at Ballymoney cemetery.