Funeral held for former RUC chief Hermon
Former Northern Ireland chief constable Jack Hermon was buried today after his death in a nursing home on Thursday.
The retired head of the RUC, 79, had fought a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
A married father-of-four, his nine years in post from 1980 saw some of the most violent and difficult spells of the Troubles.
PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde and Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward were among dignitaries at Groomsport Presbyterian Church, Co Down for today's funeral.
Minister Dr Roger Purse said: “Operational command in the police at times of crisis needs particular skills and qualities of mind and heart.
“Jack had that skill and courage and independence, but he also had a compassionate heart. He didn’t lose the common touch.
“When he left office the RUC was one of the most highly-regarded and effective police forces in the world.”
Representatives of police and government from across Ireland attended the service at the seaside town.
Former RUC chief constable turned chief inspector of constabulary Ronnie Flanagan, other senior serving officers, Jeffrey Donaldson, junior minister at Stormont’s Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), SDLP leader Mark Durkan and representatives from the Gardaí and President Mary McAleese were also present.
Hermon’s daughter Barbara said simply: “Thank you for being with us” and read a passage echoing many of her indomitable father’s qualities.
Dr Purse said he was a man of vision with an uncompromising leadership style.
“He undertook the most difficult policing job in western Europe, if not the democratic world, with the task of maintaining law and order in the face of unrelenting violence. He was committed to the impartial policing of both communities.”
Hermon faced allegations of a shoot-to-kill policy by members of the security forces and the controversial murder by loyalists of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989 when state collusion was alleged.
He was also in charge of maintaining order after the 1981 deaths of the 10 IRA hunger strikers and faced a loyalist backlash after the Irish and British governments signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
