During a graveside oration, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty spoke of Councillor McHugh's passion for GAA and his beloved Tyrone, All-Ireland title holders for the third time this decade.

As someone who had given unwavering service to the GAA down through the years it was a fitting and poignant tribute that the Sam Maguire Cup was brought to the wake house on Monday morning, the local MP said.

Mr Doherty said people were united in grief and solidarity with Charlie's wife Sylvia, daughters Seodhna and Sara, son Ruairí, grandchildren Oisín, Cahir, Conor, Dearbhla and Róis, mother Minnie, sisters Veronica and Mary, brothers Hilary, Maolíosa and John and extended family circle "at this time of unbearable loss."

He said that Charlie was not one for fanfare but was best known for the quiet, steady, and constant way he worked for people and got things done.

His republican activism long preceded his first election as a Sinn Fein Councillor to represent the people of the Derg electoral area of Strabane District Council in 1985 and his subsequent re-election each time.

It was in no small part due to the work that Charlie McHugh had done that Sinn Féin now held three of the five Council seats in the Derg Electoral Area, Mr Doherty said.

Continuing he said that Charlie McHugh was a republican true to the ideals of Wolfe Tone and in the belief of uniting Orange and Green; in recent times Charlie had put a particularly renewed vigour into this important element of work.

Concluding his address at St Patrick's cemetery, he urged everyone, including friends, neighbours and comrades to rally round and give the McHugh family every support to provide them with comfort and strength in the difficult days and weeks ahead.

As the coffin of the veteran republican councillor emerged from his home on Tuesday morning the National Flag and a Tyrone shirt were placed on it by Charlie's son Ruairí and lifelong friend and comrade Dave Cameron.

The Mountains of Pomeroy, a tune much loved by Charlie, was played as his coffin was carried into the Church. The strains of the 'Foggy Dew' rang out as Charlie's remains were carried from the Church to their final resting place in the adjoining graveyard. Before the burial ceremony, Charlie's wife Sylvia was presented with the National Flag by Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.

At the graveside ceremony, Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Gerard Foley spoke about Charlie's death being an "irreplaceable loss to family, community and Sinn Féin."

Councillor Foley described his close friend as a 'giant of a man' and as 'the backbone of local community' whose contribution will only be realised in the fullness of time and who will be sorely missed by all, he said.