Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) member David Ward’s funeral in Dungiven 
A statement about the draping of an INLA-linked flag over a coffin at a Co. Derry funeral was intended purely to attract attention, an SDLP MLA has said, describing the episode as “disgusting”.
Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) member David Ward’s funeral in Dungiven saw his coffin draped with the Irish flag and the INLA-linked ‘starry plough’, despite both being forbidden at Church funerals in the North. Both flags were covered by a white pall.
In a statement the IRSP said: “Never again will the Irish Republican Socialist Movement be told what to do by a corrupt Catholic institution responsible for so much suffering on this Island.”
Describing the statement as “disgusting”, John Dallat told The Irish Catholic he found it “grossly unfair to local clergy who are valued for their devotion to the Catholic Church and its followers”.
Adding that there was an obvious contradiction between the criticism of the Church and determination to celebrate a Church funeral, he said: “They’re desperately trying to attract attention – that’s all they’re doing.”
