Funeral to be held for Tyrone dissident republican Michael Barr shot dead in Dublin

Large numbers of black flags have been erected in Strabane following the shooting of Co Tyrone man Michael Barr in Dublin on Monday, April 25.

His funeral is to take place this morning, beginning at 9.15am at his father’s house in Clady, Co Tyrone, and proceeding to St Mary’s in Strabane for a 10am mass.

A newspaper report yesterday cited “concerns” there could be a dissident “show of strength” around the funeral.

The Facebook page of the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association (IRPWA) describes him as an “IRA volunteer” and former inmate of Portlaoise, and called on all IRPWA members to attend.

DUP Alderman Allan Bresland, of the Sperrin district of Derry City and Strabane District Council, said the array of black flags which have sprung up since he was shot dead in Dublin’s Sunset House pub was ”not great publicity for Strabane”.

He added: “If there is a display of force, I would hope the police would move in and arrest every one of them.

“That’s my feelings about it ... Because I think the other side of the house gets off far too light.”

It was put to him that the PSNI often monitor such situations and then make arrests later, to which he said: “Doing that’s alright, providing they follow up on it.”

Councillor Gary Donnelly would not comment when asked if he plans to attend today, or when asked about whether he would discourage any republican displays, saying only that “there’s a family grieving here”.

Strabane-based councillor Paul Gallagher said that he would not be attending.

Mr Gallagher also described himself as a “dissident”, stressing that he does not support violence. However, he also said he did not condemn violence either.

Asked if he would condemn Mr Barr’s killing, he said he “would not be in a position to comment”.

It has been speculated that Mr Barr’s murder may be part of an ongoing gangland feud in Dublin which erupted in February.