La polizia conferma di indagare sull’incidente che coinvolge quattro uomini a volto coperto.
Inizialmente si pensava che gli uomini armati appartenessero all’INLA, ma in seguito è emerso che i paramilitari fanno parte della Real IRA.
I quattro uomini a volto coperto e con abiti militari sono apparsi nella zona di Rosemount Gardens, mentre il feretro veniva accompagnato in chiesa e poi al City Cemetery.
Un comunicato della PSNI recita: “La polizia ha ricevuto rapporti di colpi di arma da fuoco sparati nella zona di Rosemount e sta indagando”.
L’INLA aveva annunciato la decommissioning del proprio arsenale nel febbraio 2010 ed il leader dell’IRSP, WIllie Gallagher, ha affermato che non sono stati membri della formazione legata al partito socialista repubblicano a sparare durante il funerale.
Il numero uno del TUV, Jim Allister, si è detto “stupefatto” per la partecipazione di Eastwood al funerale, dove il feretro è stato accompagnato dagli emblemi dell’Irish Republican Socialist Party.
In risposta, Eastwood ha spiegato che, sebbene lui e Couyle dissentissero su molte questioni, restava comunque un amico e ha partecipato alla cerimonia funebre in segno di rispetto.
Mark Durkan, parlamentare SDLP, ha ricordato, intervenendo a BBC Radio Foyle, che Eastwood non era presente quando i proiettili sono stati sparati.
Video da UTV
MLA criticised for attending paramilitary style funeral
Police in Londonderry have confirmed they are investigating an incident involving three masked men in the city on Tuesday morning (April 17).
The gunmen were initially believed to be members of the INLA, but it later emerged that members of the ‘Real IRA’ were responsible for the incident in which up to a dozen shots were fired over the coffin of former INLA and Official IRA member, Seamus Coyle.
The masked men appeared in the Rosemount Gardens area before his burial at the City Cemetery.
A statement from the PSNI said: “Police have received reports of shots being fired in the Rosemount area and are investigating.”
The INLA announced they had decommissioned their weapons arsenal in February, 2010 and IRSP leader, Willie Gallagher said INLA members were not involved in the firing of the shots.
Mr Gallagher, who attended the funeral, said the firing party came from “the IRA”, and it is understood they were members of the ‘Real IRA’.
TUV leader, Jim Allister said he was ‘astounded’ by Mr Eastwood’s participation at the funeral, at which the coffin was also flanked by an IRSP colour party.
In response, Mr Eastwood said that, while he and Mr Coyle disagreed on many issues, he was nevertheless a friend and he attended the funeral to pay his respects in that capacity.
Foyle SDLP MP, Mark Durkan today (Friday) told BBC Radio Foyle that Mr Eastwood was not present when the shots were fired.