There was a large Republican display in Enniskillen at the funeral of veteran Republican, Jim Murphy (pictured right).

The funeral held in St. Michael’s Church, Enniskillen saw Mr. Murphy’s coffin draped in a tricolour while a lone piper led the funeral procession after it left the church on Saturday, October 16.

A guard of honour also followed Mr. Murphy’s coffin, which included Independent Councillor on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC), Eamon Keenan and former FODC Councillor, John McCluskey.

Mr. Murphy, passed away on Thursday, October 14.

Councillor Keenan said: “Jim was a great community man, a great family man and a great Socialist Republican,” said Councillor Keenan.

“Jim played a vital role in the election of Bobby Sands in 1981 and the cause of Republican prisoners and their families was always an issue close to his heart. He also served some years in Portlaoise prison as a Republican prisoner himself.”

Mr. Murphy was sentenced to three years and nine months for membership of the IRA in 2010 after he was arrested at a checkpoint in Co. Donegal.

“Jim worked for many years in the Sinn Féin office in Enniskillen but his socialist Republican politics led him to leave Sinn Féin a number of years back but he continued fighting for his community through various campaigns like the anti-fracking campaign, Save our Stroke Unit more recently the anti-gold mining campaign in Tyrone to name but a few.”

Councillor Keenan went on to say: “Jim had a wealth of knowledge on national and international politics of which he gained from his vast library of books and his vast life experience he gained from his lifetime of struggle.

“Jim was always up for a laugh and was a great mentor to many a young activist. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends and the Republican community throughout Ireland.”

Following his funeral Mass at St. Michael’s Church, Mr. Murphy was laid to rest at Breandrum Cemetery.

Deeply regretted by his partner Geraldine Fee, daughters Maria and Dearbháile and son Conor. Predeceased by his son Christopher. Dear brother of Bernie Maguire (Michael), Anna Padden (Patsy), Valerie Johnston and Albert (Aggie). Funeral arrangements by John McKeegan Funeral Undertaker.