Funeral held for former Real IRA Chief Michael McKevitt

The funeral of former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt has taken place in Co Louth this morning.
By Gemma Murray
Published 5th Jan 2021, 12:47 BST
Updated 5th Jan 2021, 14:46 BST
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A funeral mass was held at St Fursey’s Church in Haggardstown following the removal from the family home in Beech Park, Blackrock.

According to a death notice McKevitt died “peacefully at home in the presence of his loving family” on Saturday.

McKevitt died of cancer.

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The terror chief had headed the Real IRA which was formed in 1997 by dissident members of the Provisional IRA.

He was married to Bernadette Sands McKevitt, sister of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands.

Mc Kevitt, who was a father-of-six, was found by Belfast High Court to be centrally involved in the planning the Omagh bombing.

But he never paid any of the £1.6m judgment against him.

Funeral of former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt who died last week aged 71-years-old.Funeral of former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt who died last week aged 71-years-old.
Funeral of former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt who died last week aged 71-years-old.

He was not found guilty in a criminal court for the atrocity which claimed the lives of 29 people, along with unborn twins.

More than 200 were injured in the bombing.

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He did spend 13 years in prison in the Republic after being found guilty by Dublin’s Special Criminal Court of “directing terrorism”.

McKevitt, originally from Co Louth, joined the Provisional IRA at the outbreak of the Troubles and became a senior figure, before quitting in protest at the ceasefires in 1997.

Funeral of former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt who died last week aged 71-tear-old. In August 2003 McKevitt was found guilty of directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation. He was also found liable for the 1998 Omagh bomb that killed 29 people. The funeral makes its way from his home in Blackrock, Co. Louth, for Requiem Mass at St. Fursey's Church, HaggardstownFuneral of former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt who died last week aged 71-tear-old. In August 2003 McKevitt was found guilty of directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation. He was also found liable for the 1998 Omagh bomb that killed 29 people. The funeral makes its way from his home in Blackrock, Co. Louth, for Requiem Mass at St. Fursey's Church, Haggardstown
Funeral of former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt who died last week aged 71-tear-old. In August 2003 McKevitt was found guilty of directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation. He was also found liable for the 1998 Omagh bomb that killed 29 people. The funeral makes its way from his home in Blackrock, Co. Louth, for Requiem Mass at St. Fursey's Church, Haggardstown

READ - Omagh bomber and Real IRA terror godfather Michael McKevitt dies

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