14 arrested at Michael Barr's funeral in Tyrone

Fourteen men have been arrested during the funeral of Michael Barr in Strabane, Co Tyrone this morning.

14 arrested at Michael Barr's funeral in Tyrone

Fourteen men have been arrested at the funeral of a dissident republican in Northern Ireland.

Michael Barr, 35, from Strabane in Co Tyrone, was shot dead in a Dublin bar last month.

He was hit up to three times when two gunmen burst into the Sunset House pub in the Summerhill area of the city and died at the scene.

His murder is believed to have been linked to a bloody underworld power-struggle between the Kinahan and Hutch families and their associates.

There are conflicting reports as to whether Barr was the intended target or if a member of the Hutch family was in the pub at the time.

Hundreds of people turned out for his funeral mass at St Mary's Church in the Melmount area of Strabane on Thursday morning.

Around a dozen men, dressed in paramilitary-style uniform, accompanied the cortege as it travelled towards the church.

Black flags were also placed on lampposts along part of the route while a black beret and gloves were placed on top of the coffin which had been draped in an Irish tricolour.

There was a significant police presence on both sides of the border ahead of the funeral.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said 14 men had been detained under the Terrorism Act.

In a statement, a spokesman said: "As a result of the policing operation at the funeral of Michael Barr in Strabane earlier today, 14 males have been arrested under the Terrorism Act."

Media reports state Mr Barr was suspected of being involved in the Regency shooting where David Byrne was shot dead with AK47s by men impersonating Gardaí last February.

more courts articles

Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster Football fan given banning order after mocking Munich air disaster
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van

More in this section

Hot School Meals Programme Harris to try and persuade other states to recognise Palestine 
Asylum applications surge by 75% in first three months of year  Asylum applications surge by 75% in first three months of year 
Knife crime sentencing Court reforms will cause ‘huge injustices’ in divorce cases, lawyers say
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited