The funeral of former senior IRA man Brendan “Bik” McFarlane is being held in Belfast. McFarlane, from the Ardoyne area of north Belfast, was known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history. He died at the age of 74 after a short illness on Friday. Crowds, which included former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, Donegal TD Pearse Doherty, Cavan Monaghan TD Matt Carthy.placeholder image
The funeral of former senior IRA man Brendan “Bik” McFarlane is being held in Belfast. McFarlane, from the Ardoyne area of north Belfast, was known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history. He died at the age of 74 after a short illness on Friday. Crowds, which included former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, Donegal TD Pearse Doherty, Cavan Monaghan TD Matt Carthy.

Brendan McFarlane: Funeral today for former senior IRA man who was OC of the H-Block during the 1981 hunger strike

By Gemma Murray

Digital Specialist

Published 25th Feb 2025, 15:06 GMT
Updated 25th Feb 2025, 15:19 GMT

The funeral was held today for former senior IRA man Bik McFarlane, from the Ardoyne area of north Belfast, who died on Friday at the age of 74 after a short illness.

He was known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams (right) walks behind the coffin of Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane as it leaves his family home on Cliftonville Road, Belfast. The former senior IRA man , known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history, died after a short illness on Friday.

13.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams (right) walks behind the coffin of Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane as it leaves his family home on Cliftonville Road, Belfast. The former senior IRA man , known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history, died after a short illness on Friday. Photo: Niall Carson

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Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane's daughter Emma plays the guitar next to his coffin before it leaves his family home on Cliftonville Road, Belfast. The former senior IRA man , known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history, died after a short illness on Friday.

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Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane's daughter Emma plays the guitar next to his coffin before it leaves his family home on Cliftonville Road, Belfast. The former senior IRA man , known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history, died after a short illness on Friday. Photo: Niall Carson

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Matt Malloy of the chieftains plays the flute as the flag is placed on the coffin of Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane as it leaves his family home on Cliftonville Road, Belfast. The former senior IRA man , known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history, died after a short illness on Friday.

15.

Matt Malloy of the chieftains plays the flute as the flag is placed on the coffin of Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane as it leaves his family home on Cliftonville Road, Belfast. The former senior IRA man , known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history, died after a short illness on Friday. Photo: Niall Carson

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