Funeral on Saturday for Derry republican Liam McCartney

Mr McCartney, a father of eight, passed away peacefully at his home in the city on Tuesday. He was aged 94.

Mr McCartney, a life-long republican, was for many years election agent for the late Martin McGuinness.

Among those paying tribute to him was Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson.

She said: “It was with great sadness that republicans in Derry learned of the death of Liam McCartney. Liam was a stalwart of the republican community in Derry and was widely admired and respected. During the hunger strike period, Liam was active in the campaigns for the rights of the prisoners, particularly in 1980 when his son, Raymond, was on hunger strike.

“When Sinn Féin first entered the electoral arena in the North, Liam was the election agent for the late Martin McGuinness. He was always a great source of inspiration and wisdom, not just for his own family, but the wider republican family in this city.

“Above all, Liam was a family man with eight children, 24 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly along with his beloved wife, Bessie, who passed away in 2018. He will be sorely missed by all.”

Mr McCartney’s funeral takes place at St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, at 10am. Interment afterwards in the City Cemetery.

He is pre-deceased by his wife, Bessie, and is survived by his children, Jimmy, Liam, Gerard, Noel, Raymond, Helen, Elizabeth and Andrew.