The GAA believe the Bellaghy club did nothing wrong by providing a guard of honour for prominent republican Declan McGlinchey at his funeral this week.

McGlinchey's paramilitary-style funeral took place in Bellaghy on Wednesday, at which members of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAC donned the club's blue and white jerseys and led the cortege to St. Mary's Church before forming a guarding of honour after the Mass.

Unionists have raised concerns over GAA members and schoolchildren attending the funeral, but a GAA spokesman told the Irish News: "It is the understanding of the GAA that Declan McGlinchey was a member of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA and therefore the presence of club members at his funeral was in the context of his active membership of his local club and his membership of the Association."

In a club statement, Bellaghy GAC said: "The late Declan McGlinchey was a member of our club and for many years assisted with coaching, fundraising and general support for the GAA in our area. Many members of his young family are also members and players at various age groups.

"In recognition of the tremendous loss that his family and friends in the local area have suffered and of the work that he put into the development of our club a guard of honour was provided for his funeral."

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