The senior Sinn Féin politician said it is important for people to have a ‘right to remember their dead’.

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly delivered the graveside oration to Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane at Milltown Cemetery.

McFarlane, from the Ardoyne area of north Belfast, was known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history.

DUP MLA Phillip Brett said there was ‘not a scintilla’ of remorse from the republican party over McFarlane’s violent actions.

Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane, who oversaw the hunger strikes inside the Maze Prison, has died.