W2C-005 Belfast Telegraph 4-1.txt
Poyntz slams the men of violence Gail Walker

Mourners at the funeral today of murdered prison officer Jim Peacock will hear a hard-hitting address from the Bishop of Connor, Dr Samuel Poyntz.

Speaking before the service, Dr Poynz said that his sermon would be "very direct" but added: "Wrong is wrong and must always be condemned".

Hundreds of people were expected to attend the service for Mr Peacock, who died in his teenage daughter's arms minutes after UVF gunmen shot him in the back at his north Belfast house.

Private

A private service, attended by his wife Sandra and children Mark, Lisa, Samantha, Kelly and Penny, was being held in the family home at Joanmount Park at noon.

The cortege was then due to make its way to Holy Trinity Parish Church on the Oldpark Road for a service at 1pm.

All prisons and the Young Offenders Centre cancelled visits and parcel deliveries today to enable many of Mr Peacocks colleagues to attend the funeral.

Slept

Fifteen children have been left without a parent after loyalist terrorists murdered four people this week.

Roman Catholic mother-of-four Teresa Dowds de Mogollon was shot dead in her north Belfast home and Catholic delivery man Jim Bell was killed outside an ice-cream factory in the east of the city.

Father-of-six Michael Edwards was murdered in bed as he slept beside his wife yesterday.

After the service, Mr Peacock was being buried in Ballymoney Cemetery later this afternoon.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service said that any visitors holding passes for today should contact their relevant prison on Monday to rearrange their visit.
