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The funeral of Bobby Sands

Kate Adie reports on the funeral of Bobby Sands in Belfast where he is buried with the full paraphernalia of an IRA military funeral.

Tens of thousands of people from the north and south of Ireland accompany the funeral cortege under the full glare of the world’s press. Large screens erected by the army prevent neighbouring Protestant communities having any contact with the mourners. Outside a shopping centre in Andersonstown three masked men fire a three volley salute over the coffin. The mourners include the joint vice-presidents of Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams and David O’Connell (Dáithí Ó Conaill), as well as, Sands’ parents, John and Rosaleen, his sister Marcella and his eight year old son Gerard. Sands’ other sister Bernadette was not able to attend the funeral.

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Duration:

2 minutes